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.
£ 345
In a Nutshell Antiques & Interiors Ltd
George III Mahogany Swing Dressing Table Mirror
£ 150
£ 450
Good Size Original Antique 19th Century French Carved Wood Arched Top Mirror
£ 450
Cleall Antiques
Cleall Antiques
Stunning Large Highly Decorative Early Antique 19th Century French Distressed Original Silvered Mirror
£ 695
Stunning Large Highly Decorative Early Antique 19th Century French Distressed Original Silvered Mirror
£ 695
Cleall Antiques
£ 650
Very Useful Size Large Antique 19th Century French Carved Wood Painted Plain Mirror
£ 650
Cleall Antiques
£ 795
Large Antique 19th Century French Carved Wood & Gesso Distressed Painted Mirror
£ 795
Cleall Antiques
Cleall Antiques
Very Useful Size Early Antique 19th Century French Carved Wood & Gesso Painted Louis Philippe Mirror
£ 750
Very Useful Size Early Antique 19th Century French Carved Wood & Gesso Painted Louis Philippe Mirror
£ 750
Cleall Antiques
Cleall Antiques
Large Antique 19th Century French Carved Wood Painted Mirror
£ 595
£ 495
Very Useful Size Antique 19th Century French Cream Painted Overmantel Mirror
£ 495
Cleall Antiques
£ 550
Good Size Antique 19th Century French Carved Wood & Gesso Arched Top Painted Mirror
£ 550
Cleall Antiques
Cleall Antiques
Highly Unusual Antique 19th Century French Carved Wood Painted Plain Curved Framed Mirror
£ 695
Highly Unusual Antique 19th Century French Carved Wood Painted Plain Curved Framed Mirror
£ 695
Cleall Antiques
£ 595
Good Size Antique 19th Century French Carved Wood And Gesso Plain Painted Mirror
£ 595
Cleall Antiques
£ 595
Useful Size Early Antique 19th Century Wood And Gesso Painted Louis Philippe Mirror
£ 595
Cleall Antiques
£ 295
£ 550
Cleall Antiques
Fabulous Large Antique 19th Century French Carved Wood & Gesso Painted Shaped Top Mirror
£ 795
Fabulous Large Antique 19th Century French Carved Wood & Gesso Painted Shaped Top Mirror
£ 795
Cleall Antiques
£ 495
Fabulous Antique 19th Century French Carved Wood & Gesso Distressed Painted Mirror
£ 495
Cleall Antiques
Cleall Antiques
Stunning Large Highly Decorative Antique 19th Century Italian Carved Wood & Gesso Painted Mirror
£ 895
Stunning Large Highly Decorative Antique 19th Century Italian Carved Wood & Gesso Painted Mirror
£ 895
Cleall Antiques
£ 550
Wonderful Antique 19th Century French Carved Wood & Gesso Painted Mirror
£ 550
Cleall Antiques
Cleall Antiques
Highly Useful Antique 19th Century English Carved Wood & Gesso Distressed Painted Mirror
£ 550
Highly Useful Antique 19th Century English Carved Wood & Gesso Distressed Painted Mirror
£ 550
Cleall Antiques
Cleall Antiques
Highly Useful Early Antique 19th Century French Carved Wood & Gesso Distressed Painted Louis Philippe Mirror
£ 795
Highly Useful Early Antique 19th Century French Carved Wood & Gesso Distressed Painted Louis Philippe Mirror
£ 795
Cleall Antiques
Cleall Antiques
Superb Large Antique 19th Century French Carved Wood & Gesso Original Shaped Top Silvered & Gilt Mirror
£ 995
Superb Large Antique 19th Century French Carved Wood & Gesso Original Shaped Top Silvered & Gilt Mirror
£ 995
Cleall Antiques
Marylebone Antiques
Vintage Italian Textured Glass Mirror
£ 695
Antique Furniture Direct
Victorian Mahogany “chippendale” Fretwork Mirror
£ 295
Antique Furniture Direct
An Edwardian Mahogany & Inlaid Oval Mirror
£ 145
Antique Furniture Direct
Edwardian Mahogany Cheval Mirror
£ 350
Alain Michel Antiques
Mirror with Sculpted Copper & Ebony Wood Decoration - Early 19th Century
€ 1,900
Mirror with Sculpted Copper & Ebony Wood Decoration - Early 19th Century
€ 1,900
Alain Michel Antiques
Antiques & Chic
Large Mirror in Ornate Gold Frame
£ 175
Antique Furniture Direct
Small Regency Mahogany Pier Mirror
£ 250
Alain Michel Antiques
Pareclose Mirror with Sculpted Coper - 19th Century From France
€ 1,300
Pareclose Mirror with Sculpted Coper - 19th Century From France
€ 1,300
Alain Michel Antiques
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Adam Style Giltwood Mirror
£ 575
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
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.