11/30/2023 7:49:21
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Vintage & Antique Mirrors

(1,355 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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Large Giltwood & Gesso Oval Border Mirror

£ 1,950

€2,237
$2,387
Large Giltwood & Gesso Oval Border Mirror

Large Giltwood & Gesso Oval Border Mirror

£ 1,950

€2237
$2387

Salisbury Antiques Centre

French Louis XV Style Giltwood & Gesso Mirror

£ 2,100

€2,410
$2,571
French Louis XV Style Giltwood & Gesso Mirror

French Louis XV Style Giltwood & Gesso Mirror

£ 2,100

€2410
$2571

Salisbury Antiques Centre

Victorian Gilt Mirror

Witch Antiques

Victorian Gilt Mirror

£ 495

€568
$606
Victorian Gilt Mirror

Victorian Gilt Mirror

£ 495

€568
$606

Witch Antiques

Mid 19th Century French Gilded Mirror

Walton House Antiques Ltd

Mid 19th Century French Gilded Mirror

£ 750

€861
$918
Mid 19th Century French Gilded Mirror

Mid 19th Century French Gilded Mirror

£ 750

€861
$918

Walton House Antiques Ltd

Antique Oval Dressing Mirror Late 19th Century Victorian

£ 145

€166
$178
Antique Oval Dressing Mirror Late 19th Century Victorian

Antique Oval Dressing Mirror Late 19th Century Victorian

£ 145

€166
$178

CS & T Ornate Objects & Furniture

Pair of Cast Iron Frame Mirrors

£ 2,460

€2,823
$3,012
Pair of Cast Iron Frame Mirrors

Pair of Cast Iron Frame Mirrors

£ 2,460

€2823
$3012

Whites Antiques

1960s Shoe Mirror (1)

D and A Binder LTD

1960s Shoe Mirror (1)

£ 216

€248
$264
1960s Shoe Mirror (1)

1960s Shoe Mirror (1)

£ 216

€248
$264

D and A Binder LTD

Vintage Brass Shoe Mirror

D and A Binder LTD

Vintage Brass Shoe Mirror

£ 270

€310
$331
Vintage Brass Shoe Mirror

Vintage Brass Shoe Mirror

£ 270

€310
$331

D and A Binder LTD

Pair of Art Deco Mirrors

Marylebone Antiques

Pair of Art Deco Mirrors

£ 1,150

€1,319
$1,408
Pair of Art Deco Mirrors

Pair of Art Deco Mirrors

£ 1,150

€1319
$1408

Marylebone Antiques

Georgian Walnut Mirror

Kernow Furniture

Georgian Walnut Mirror

£ 475

€545
$582
Georgian Walnut Mirror

Georgian Walnut Mirror

£ 475

€545
$582

Kernow Furniture

Victorian Timber & Plaster Gilt Oval Wall Mirror

£ 289

€332
$354
Victorian Timber & Plaster Gilt Oval Wall Mirror

Victorian Timber & Plaster Gilt Oval Wall Mirror

£ 289

€332
$354

Sturmans Antiques Ltd

Art Deco Jazz Mirror

Witch Antiques

Art Deco Jazz Mirror

£ 445

€511
$545
Art Deco Jazz Mirror

Art Deco Jazz Mirror

£ 445

€511
$545

Witch Antiques

Large 19th Century Victorian English Overmantle Mirror

£ 1,495

€1,715
$1,830
Large 19th Century Victorian English Overmantle Mirror

Large 19th Century Victorian English Overmantle Mirror

£ 1,495

€1715
$1830

Burgett Langfield

French Walnut Overmantle Mirror

£ 395

€453
$484
French Walnut Overmantle Mirror

French Walnut Overmantle Mirror

£ 395

€453
$484

Kernow Furniture

Small Venetian Mirror

Tony Youll Antiques

Small Venetian Mirror

£ 375

€430
$459
Small Venetian Mirror

Small Venetian Mirror

£ 375

€430
$459

Tony Youll Antiques

Pair Ornate Gilt Framed Wall Mirrors

£ 175

€201
$214
Pair Ornate Gilt Framed Wall Mirrors

Pair Ornate Gilt Framed Wall Mirrors

£ 175

€201
$214

Town House Traders Ltd

Antique Art Nouveau Beaten Brass Mirror

£ 975

€1,119
$1,194
Antique Art Nouveau Beaten Brass Mirror

Antique Art Nouveau Beaten Brass Mirror

£ 975

€1119
$1194

Marylebone Antiques

Large 19th Century Italian Venetian Overmantle Mirror

£ 2,200

€2,524
$2,693
Large 19th Century Italian Venetian Overmantle Mirror

Large 19th Century Italian Venetian Overmantle Mirror

£ 2,200

€2524
$2693

Burgett Langfield

Pair of Painted & Parcel-gilt Pier Mirrors

£ 1,250

€1,434
$1,530
Pair of Painted & Parcel-gilt Pier Mirrors

Pair of Painted & Parcel-gilt Pier Mirrors

£ 1,250

€1434
$1530

Lorna Byskou

Mahogany Toilet Mirror

Charles Jarvis Ltd

Mahogany Toilet Mirror

£ 220

€252
$269
Mahogany Toilet Mirror

Mahogany Toilet Mirror

£ 220

€252
$269

Charles Jarvis Ltd

Fabulous Adam Oval Gilt  Mirror

Fernyhough Antiques Ltd

Fabulous Adam Oval Gilt Mirror

£ 1,495

€1,715
$1,830
Fabulous Adam Oval Gilt  Mirror

Fabulous Adam Oval Gilt Mirror

£ 1,495

€1715
$1830

Fernyhough Antiques Ltd

Good Large Oval Victorian Mirror with Panel Back

£ 380

€436
$465
Good Large Oval Victorian Mirror with Panel Back

Good Large Oval Victorian Mirror with Panel Back

£ 380

€436
$465

Stalham Antique Gallery

Regency Period Convex Mirror

Stalham Antique Gallery

Regency Period Convex Mirror

£ 1,350

€1,549
$1,653
Regency Period Convex Mirror

Regency Period Convex Mirror

£ 1,350

€1549
$1653

Stalham Antique Gallery

Good Round Gilt Mirror

Fernyhough Antiques Ltd

Good Round Gilt Mirror

£ 295

€338
$361
Good Round Gilt Mirror

Good Round Gilt Mirror

£ 295

€338
$361

Fernyhough Antiques Ltd

Antique Adam Style Giltwood Mirror

£ 750

€861
$918
Antique Adam Style Giltwood Mirror

Antique Adam Style Giltwood Mirror

£ 750

€861
$918

Marylebone Antiques

Antique French Faux Bamboo Mirror

£ 90

€103
$110
Antique French Faux Bamboo Mirror

Antique French Faux Bamboo Mirror

£ 90

€103
$110

Harmony Antiques

Attractive Satinwood Painted Dressing Table Mirror

£ 250

€287
$306
Attractive Satinwood Painted Dressing Table Mirror

Attractive Satinwood Painted Dressing Table Mirror

£ 250

€287
$306

Marlborough Antiques & Interiors

Early 20th Century Adam Style Giltwood Oval Wall Mirror

£ 240

€275
$294
Early 20th Century Adam Style Giltwood Oval Wall Mirror

Early 20th Century Adam Style Giltwood Oval Wall Mirror

£ 240

€275
$294

Church Street Antiques

Spanish Sunburst Oval Mirror

£ 395

€453
$484
Spanish Sunburst Oval Mirror

Spanish Sunburst Oval Mirror

£ 395

€453
$484

B Southgate

Antique William IV Rosewood Overmantle Mirror

£ 275

€316
$337
Antique William IV Rosewood Overmantle Mirror

Antique William IV Rosewood Overmantle Mirror

£ 275

€316
$337

Marylebone Antiques

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.