12/9/2023, 5:49:20
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Vintage & Antique Mirrors

(1,370 items)

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.

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19th Century Victorian Mahogany Toilet Mirror

£ 425

€488
$520
19th Century Victorian Mahogany Toilet Mirror

19th Century Victorian Mahogany Toilet Mirror

£ 425

€488
$520

Debenham Antiques Ltd

Mid Century Round Mirror by Fitterman of Paris

£ 650

€746
$796
Mid Century Round Mirror by Fitterman of Paris

Mid Century Round Mirror by Fitterman of Paris

£ 650

€746
$796

Tony Youll Antiques

Victorian Giltwood & Gesso Framed Mirror

£ 1,950

€2,237
$2,387
Victorian Giltwood & Gesso Framed Mirror

Victorian Giltwood & Gesso Framed Mirror

£ 1,950

€2237
$2387

Church Street Antiques

Overmantel Mirror

Athey Antiques

Overmantel Mirror

£ 395

€453
$484
Overmantel Mirror

Overmantel Mirror

£ 395

€453
$484

Athey Antiques

Very Rare & Impressive Victorian English Gilt Overmantle Mirror

£ 12,500

€14,342
$15,303
Very Rare & Impressive Victorian English Gilt Overmantle Mirror

Very Rare & Impressive Victorian English Gilt Overmantle Mirror

£ 12,500

€14342
$15303

Fernyhough Antiques Ltd

Art Deco Oak Framed Wall Mirror

£ 325

€373
$398
Art Deco Oak Framed Wall Mirror

Art Deco Oak Framed Wall Mirror

£ 325

€373
$398

Georgian Antiques

Small Antique Bow-front “Box” Dressing Mirror

£ 240

€275
$294
Small Antique Bow-front “Box” Dressing Mirror

Small Antique Bow-front “Box” Dressing Mirror

£ 240

€275
$294

Stalham Antique Gallery

Victorian Gilt Arch Top Overmantle Mirror

£ 2,600

€2,983
$3,183
Victorian Gilt Arch Top Overmantle Mirror

Victorian Gilt Arch Top Overmantle Mirror

£ 2,600

€2983
$3183

Lorna Byskou

Victorian Gilt Arch Top Overmantle Mirror

£ 1,750

€2,008
$2,142
Victorian Gilt Arch Top Overmantle Mirror

Victorian Gilt Arch Top Overmantle Mirror

£ 1,750

€2008
$2142

Lorna Byskou

Large Carved Oak & Gilded Wall Mirror

£ 900

€1,033
$1,102
Large Carved Oak & Gilded Wall Mirror

Large Carved Oak & Gilded Wall Mirror

£ 900

€1033
$1102

Elmgarden

1950s Tri Fold Large Tabletop Mirror

£ 420

€482
$514
1950s Tri Fold Large Tabletop Mirror

1950s Tri Fold Large Tabletop Mirror

£ 420

€482
$514

D and A Binder LTD

Victorian William Tonks Pierced Brass Girandole Mirror

£ 240

€275
$294
Victorian William Tonks Pierced Brass Girandole Mirror

Victorian William Tonks Pierced Brass Girandole Mirror

£ 240

€275
$294

Antique Furniture Direct

1960s Shoe Mirror (2)

D and A Binder LTD

1960s Shoe Mirror (2)

£ 216

€248
$264
1960s Shoe Mirror (2)

1960s Shoe Mirror (2)

£ 216

€248
$264

D and A Binder LTD

Georgian Mahogany Bow Fronted  Dressing Mirror

£ 225

€258
$275
Georgian Mahogany Bow Fronted  Dressing Mirror

Georgian Mahogany Bow Fronted Dressing Mirror

£ 225

€258
$275

NP & A SALT ANTIQUES

Large 19th Century English Silvered  Overmantle Mirror

£ 1,295

€1,486
$1,585
Large 19th Century English Silvered  Overmantle Mirror

Large 19th Century English Silvered Overmantle Mirror

£ 1,295

€1486
$1585

Burgett Langfield

Oval Gilt and Painted Wall Mirror

£ 295

€338
$361
Oval Gilt and Painted Wall Mirror

Oval Gilt and Painted Wall Mirror

£ 295

€338
$361

Elmgarden

Sterling Silver and Guilloche Enamel Dressing Table Mirror

£ 245

€281
$300
Sterling Silver and Guilloche Enamel Dressing Table Mirror

Sterling Silver and Guilloche Enamel Dressing Table Mirror

£ 245

€281
$300

Piers Rankin Silver Antiques

Painted Cheval Mirror

Daniel Clark Furniture

Painted Cheval Mirror

£ 675

€774
$826
Painted Cheval Mirror

Painted Cheval Mirror

£ 675

€774
$826

Daniel Clark Furniture

Victorian Giltwood & Gesso Oval Wall Mirror

£ 880

€1,010
$1,077
Victorian Giltwood & Gesso Oval Wall Mirror

Victorian Giltwood & Gesso Oval Wall Mirror

£ 880

€1010
$1077

Church Street Antiques

Large 19th Century French Painted Overmantle Mirror

£ 1,295

€1,486
$1,585
Large 19th Century French Painted Overmantle Mirror

Large 19th Century French Painted Overmantle Mirror

£ 1,295

€1486
$1585

Burgett Langfield

English Butlers Convex Mirror

£ 90

€103
$110
English Butlers Convex Mirror

English Butlers Convex Mirror

£ 90

€103
$110

Harmony Antiques

Georgian Style Swing Dressing Mirror

Graham Smith Antiques Ltd

Georgian Style Swing Dressing Mirror

£ 235

€270
$288
Georgian Style Swing Dressing Mirror

Georgian Style Swing Dressing Mirror

£ 235

€270
$288

Graham Smith Antiques Ltd

Georgian Oval Dressing Table Mirror

Salisbury Antiques Centre

Georgian Oval Dressing Table Mirror

£ 380

€436
$465
Georgian Oval Dressing Table Mirror

Georgian Oval Dressing Table Mirror

£ 380

€436
$465

Salisbury Antiques Centre

Fine Regency Giltwood Convex Mirror

Salisbury Antiques Centre

Fine Regency Giltwood Convex Mirror

£ 2,250

€2,582
$2,755
Fine Regency Giltwood Convex Mirror

Fine Regency Giltwood Convex Mirror

£ 2,250

€2582
$2755

Salisbury Antiques Centre

Antique French Carved Mirror

Manoir Antiques and Decorative Interiors Ltd

Antique French Carved Mirror

£ 850

€975
$1,041
Antique French Carved Mirror

Antique French Carved Mirror

£ 850

€975
$1041

Manoir Antiques and Decorative Interiors Ltd

Rococo Style Wall Mirror c.1890

Salisbury Antiques Centre

Rococo Style Wall Mirror c.1890

£ 340

€390
$416
Rococo Style Wall Mirror c.1890

Rococo Style Wall Mirror c.1890

£ 340

€390
$416

Salisbury Antiques Centre

Antique Victorian Carved Mahogany Mirror

£ 375

€430
$459
Antique Victorian Carved Mahogany Mirror

Antique Victorian Carved Mahogany Mirror

£ 375

€430
$459

Marylebone Antiques

19th Century Triple Plate Overmantel Mirror

£ 850

€975
$1,041
19th Century Triple Plate Overmantel Mirror

19th Century Triple Plate Overmantel Mirror

£ 850

€975
$1041

Salisbury Antiques Centre

Antique Large Fine Quality Gilt Overmantle Wall Mirror 19th Century

£ 2,495

€2,863
$3,055

Vintage and Antique Mirror FAQs


How can you tell if a mirror is old?

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.


What different types of mirror are there?

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.


How much do Antique mirrors cost?

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.     


How to antique a mirror?

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.  


Where can I buy antique mirrors?

There are more places than ever to buy antique mirrors from physical bricks and mortar shops to online portals such as LoveAntiques. Since mirrors can be quite fragile it is best to purchase from a reputable dealer which will give you the piece of mind that the item is genuine as listed, that it is in good condition and who will sort out safe delivery for you if needed. There are many styles to choose from depending on your taste and the size of the space it is going into, but for later resale classic timeless examples hold their value well and will always be desirable. Compared to the past we now appreciate a degree of wear and degradation to the mirror plate and frames, but it is important to remember that there is a difference between worn and worn out.