Mirrors have a long and noble history with the oldest surviving being over 8000 years old and made of polished Obsidian (volcanic glass). For thousands of years the necessary reflective quality was created using polished metals or stones, but in the 16th Century a new finish was invented using a mercury and tin amalgam. At the time Venice was the centre for such Mirror production with this new technique was initially kept a closely guarded secret. Extremely hard to make in large sheets, most early mirror frames instead incorporated smaller plates joined together. Large mirrors only became possible in the late 18th Century and were prohibitively expensive for all but the elite.
Today a mirror is just as important in any room as in the past bringing light and elegance. Of course, there are many different forms from wall mirrors or Overmantle mirrors to dressing mirrors and handheld. However whichever you decide on, there is nothing that beats the character of antique and vintage examples. At LoveAntiques you will find amazing old mirrors of all sorts for all your needs.
Georgian Antiques
Exhibition Quality Louis XV Style Cheval Mirror
£ 5,500
Hingstons Antiques
Regency Gilt Over Mantle
£ 875
Cleall Antiques
Fabulous Large Early Antique 19th Century French Carved Wood & Gesso Distressed Painted & Gilt Louis Philippe Mirror
£ 895
Fabulous Large Early Antique 19th Century French Carved Wood & Gesso Distressed Painted & Gilt Louis Philippe Mirror
£ 895
Cleall Antiques
Cleall Antiques
Wonderful Early Antique 19th Century French Carved Wood & Gesso Distressed Painted Louis Philippe Mirror
£ 695
Wonderful Early Antique 19th Century French Carved Wood & Gesso Distressed Painted Louis Philippe Mirror
£ 695
Cleall Antiques
Cleall Antiques
Wonderful Highly Decorative Large Antique 19th Century French Carved Wood & Gesso Distressed Painted Mirror
£ 795
Wonderful Highly Decorative Large Antique 19th Century French Carved Wood & Gesso Distressed Painted Mirror
£ 795
Cleall Antiques
Cleall Antiques
Stunning Large Antique 19th Century French Original Silvered & Painted Carved Wood & Gesso Mirror
£ 895
Stunning Large Antique 19th Century French Original Silvered & Painted Carved Wood & Gesso Mirror
£ 895
Cleall Antiques
Cleall Antiques
Fabulous Large Decorative Antique 19th Century French Carved Wood & Gesso Distressed Painted Gilt Twist Framed Mirror
£ 795
Cleall Antiques
Absolutely Stunning Large Antique 19th Century French Carved Wood Painted & Gilt Shaped Top Mirror
£ 850
Absolutely Stunning Large Antique 19th Century French Carved Wood Painted & Gilt Shaped Top Mirror
£ 850
Cleall Antiques
Cleall Antiques
Highly Useful Size Antique 19th Century French Carved Wood & Gesso Plain Painted Mirror
£ 650
Highly Useful Size Antique 19th Century French Carved Wood & Gesso Plain Painted Mirror
£ 650
Cleall Antiques
£ 350
£ 350
£ 695
Delightful Highly Useful Size Antique 19th Century French Carved Wood Painted Mirror
£ 695
Cleall Antiques
£ 595
Superb Antique 19th Century French Carved Wood & Gesso Original Painted Mirror
£ 595
Cleall Antiques
Lorna Byskou
Victorian Gilt Large Overmantle Mirror
£ 2,850
Lorna Byskou
Victorian Giltwood Arch Top Overmantle Mirror
£ 1,550
Lorna Byskou
Victorian Gilt Arch Top Overmantle Mirror
£ 1,750
£ 685
Campbell Vintage
Burnished Gilt & Burgundy Lacquered Wall Mirror Circa 1950s
£ 480
Town House Traders Ltd
Pair Geo III Style Walnut & Parcel Gilt Pier Mirrors
£ 590
Fernyhough Antiques Ltd
Lovely Walnut Cheval Mirror
Fernyhough Antiques Ltd
Lovely Victorian Oval Gilt Wall Mirror
£ 895
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Regency Giltwood Mirror
£ 850
Newark Antiques and Interiors Ltd
Large Country House Over Mantle Mirror
£ 1,065
Antique & Decorative
Victorian Gilt Overmantle Mirror
£ 1,580
Church Street Antiques
Victorian Florentine Style Giltwood Wall Mirror
£ 580
ActFurniture LTD
Antique Large 19th Century Fine Quality Victorian Cheval Mirror
£ 1,225
Worboys Antiques
Walnut Cheval Mirror
£ 475
Antiques and Things
Small Victorian Convex Mirror
£ 95
Marylebone Antiques
Pair of Antique Victorian Bevelled Brass & Wood Mirrors
£ 475
Millers Antiques
19th C Mahogany Dressing Mirror
£ 145
Tom Scott Antiques
Large Gilt Garland Overmantle Mirror
£ 895
Kernow Furniture
Large Vintage Full Length Rectangular Shop Mirror
£ 895
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Swedish Gustavian Giltwood Mirror
£ 2,650
Beeches Vintage
1940s Zenette Mini Mirror Compact
£ 45
LT Antiques
Carved Oak Wall Mirror
£ 375
Camden Antiques
Inlaid Satinwood Dressing Table Mirror
£ 495
£ 1,295
Antique Bureau Mirror, English, Dressing Table, Boudoir, Georgian, Circa 1800
£ 1,295
London Fine Ltd
Tony Youll Antiques
Very Decorative Gilt Mirror
£ 975
Tony Youll Antiques
Gilt Mirror with Garlands and Swags
£ 950
Worboys Antiques
Edwardian Mahogany Wall Mirror
£ 245
There are several ways to tell if a mirror is or not. The first is to look at the mirror plate itself. Mercury Mirrors first began to be used from the 16th Century and used thicker glass than today. You can gauge the glass thickness by placing an object like a pen or coin against the glass and spot the depth of the gap before the reflection begins. The mirror will also ‘sparkle’ and create a softer image than modern mirrors. Silver backed mirrors emerged in 1835 and the mirror has a slightly more yellow tint overall than new examples. Older mirrors are more liable to have imperfections and losses to the silvering. Modern mirrors are backed in a tin foil which produces a very crisp image. You can often also date a mirror from the frame, but it is important to recognise that old mirrors regularly get new mirror plates and old mirrors can be put into modern frames. Many people today ‘age’ modern mirrors using paint or artificial wear, but these can usually be differentiated from genuine old examples.
As a loved item in any home there are many forms and styles of mirror, although they are all for the same basic purpose. The most common types are convex mirrors (which are domed outwards and display a wider field of view than usual) and flat mirrors. Those placed above the fireplace and have a flat base are called Overmantel mirrors, while those originally intended to be hung over a side table are called Pier mirrors. Depending on the size there are several names for mirrors with their own stand. These are commonly called Cheval or Swing mirrors if they tilt and Toilet or Dressing mirrors if they were intended to be placed on top of a table or chest. Hand mirrors are held in the hand as the name suggests.
Like any piece of antique furniture antique and vintage mirrors can vary dramatically in price. This can be due to the size, look, rarity and overall desirability of the piece. Generally larger more grand mirrors always command more money than smaller because they are status symbols for wealth and antique examples are usually (with some exceptions) more valuable than vintage or modern mirrors. When purchasing a mirror online it is important to consider the shipping to yourself as this can be prohibitive. Most postal companies will not offer compensation for damage and personal couriers will often charge a slight premium for the extra care required. This is why it is worthwhile buying from our reputable dealers on LoveAntiques as they usually sort the delivery for you.
Many people today enjoy mirrors which appear weathered and worn as occurs naturally over time with antique silvered or mercury mirrors. While nothing beats original worn mirror plates, this is not always possible so weathered effects are created instead. There are lots of videos and descriptions online for how to ‘age’ a mirror but there are basically two approaches. The first is to take a modern mirror and create gaps and flaking to the foil backing using cleaning products, paint stripper and abrasives such as wire wool. These gaps are then accentuated with dark paint. The second approach is to begin with a clear sheet of glass and build up a weathered mirror look using layers of mirror-effect spray paint and an oil or washing up liquid to create natural defects and spots. Either approach can be quite effective and create a unique look.