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.
Merchant House Antiques
19th Century Scrubbed Oak Mirror
£ 995
Georgian Antiques
Carved & Gilded Tryptic Overmantel Mirror
£ 1,750
Merchant House Antiques
Scrubbed Walnut Mirror
£ 895
Merchant House Antiques
19th Century Gilded Overmantle / Gilt Mirror
£ 895
Merchant House Antiques
Small 19th Century Gilt Mirror
£ 425
Merchant House Antiques
Decorative Gilt Mirror in the Louis XV Style
£ 695
Merchant House Antiques
Pretty 19th Century Gilt Mirror
£ 645
Merchant House Antiques
19th Century Gilt Mirror
£ 745
Merchant House Antiques
Large 19th Century Carved Oak Mirror
£ 1,295
Tony Youll Antiques
Large Giltwood Bistro Mirror
£ 1,050
Antique Furniture Direct
Queen Anne Style Mahogany Cheval Mirror
£ 350
Rams Head Antiques
Antique Giltwood Mirror Italian Chippendale Style
£ 1,150
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Victorian Period Giltwood Mirror
£ 1,250
Unique Antiques By Emma Jade
Pretty Antique Porcelain Dressing Table Mirror
£ 395
Town House Traders Ltd
Pair of Antique Gilt Framed Convex Mirrors
£ 950
Lorna Byskou
Victorian Gilt Large Arch Top Overmantle Mirror
£ 3,500
Lorna Byskou
Victorian Gilt Adam Style Overmantle Mirror
£ 1,550
Lorna Byskou
Victorian Giltwood Arch Top Overmantle Mirror
£ 1,650
Millers Antiques
Regency Period Gilt Convex Mirror
£ 675
Unique Antiques By Emma Jade
Unusual Antique Edwardian Quality Chinoiserie Decorated Wall Mirror
£ 595
Unusual Antique Edwardian Quality Chinoiserie Decorated Wall Mirror
£ 595
Unique Antiques By Emma Jade
Whites Antiques
Pair of Italian 20th Century Mirrors
£ 935
Tony Youll Antiques
Large Venetian Cushion Mirror
£ 775
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
Staffordshire Art Deco Gilt Framed Convex Wall Mirror
£ 525
London City Antiques
Large Antique Victorian Quality Giltwood & White Painted Overmantle Mirror
£ 2,450
Large Antique Victorian Quality Giltwood & White Painted Overmantle Mirror
£ 2,450
London City Antiques
£ 1,210
Knight Fine Antiques & Collectables
Early 19th Century Gold Giltwood Overmantle Mirror
£ 1,295
Early 19th Century Gold Giltwood Overmantle Mirror
£ 1,295
Knight Fine Antiques & Collectables
Church Street Antiques
Victorian Giltwood & Gesso Oval Wall Mirror
£ 3,800
Trade Antiques
Triptych Mirror Large Wall Hanging / Dressing Table
£ 485
Tony Youll Antiques
18th Century Gilt Mirror
£ 395
Tony Youll Antiques
Rectangular Venetian Mirror
£ 450
Town House Traders Ltd
Arts & Crafts Satin Walnut Cheval Dressing Mirror
£ 230
Witch Antiques
Victorian Mirror
£ 435
Antiques & Chic
Antique Meissen or Continental German Porcelain Mirror Set
£ 995
JMR Antiques Ltd
Superb Quality 19th Century Giltwood Wall Mirror
£ 595
Town House Traders Ltd
Antique Walnut Cheval Dressing Mirror
£ 190
Hingstons Antiques
Large 19th Century Gilt Mirror
£ 4,650
Town House Traders Ltd
Antique Gilt Framed Convex Wall Mirror
£ 150
Paul Watson Antiques & Interiors Norfolk
Queen Anne Style Walnut Cheval Mirror c.1930
£ 675
Paul Watson Antiques & Interiors Norfolk
Fine Edwardian Satinwood Cheval Mirror by Maple & Co
£ 850
Fine Edwardian Satinwood Cheval Mirror by Maple & Co
£ 850
Paul Watson Antiques & Interiors Norfolk
Tony Youll Antiques
Carved Giltwood Mirror
£ 220
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.