12/8/2024, 18:19:14

Vintage & Antique Mirrors

(1,751 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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A Lovely Victorian Over Mantle Mirror

Marlborough Antiques & Interiors

A Lovely Victorian Over Mantle Mirror

£ 1,250

€1,460
$1,572
A Lovely Victorian Over Mantle Mirror

A Lovely Victorian Over Mantle Mirror

£ 1,250

€1460
$1572

Marlborough Antiques & Interiors

Sterling Silver Pink Guilloche Enamel Hand Mirror

£ 235

€275
$296
Sterling Silver Pink Guilloche Enamel Hand Mirror

Sterling Silver Pink Guilloche Enamel Hand Mirror

£ 235

€275
$296

Piers Rankin Silver Antiques

Yellow Guilloche Enamel and Sterling Silver Hand Mirror

£ 235

€275
$296
Yellow Guilloche Enamel and Sterling Silver Hand Mirror

Yellow Guilloche Enamel and Sterling Silver Hand Mirror

£ 235

€275
$296

Piers Rankin Silver Antiques

Decorative and Unusual Sterling Silver Standing Mirror

£ 285

€333
$358
Decorative and Unusual Sterling Silver Standing Mirror

Decorative and Unusual Sterling Silver Standing Mirror

£ 285

€333
$358

Piers Rankin Silver Antiques

Antique Gilt Convex Wall Mirror Porthole Mirror

£ 125

€146
$157
Antique Gilt Convex Wall Mirror Porthole Mirror

Antique Gilt Convex Wall Mirror Porthole Mirror

£ 125

€146
$157

Town House Traders Ltd

Antique Gilt Convex Wall Mirror Porthole Mirror

£ 125

€146
$157
Antique Gilt Convex Wall Mirror Porthole Mirror

Antique Gilt Convex Wall Mirror Porthole Mirror

£ 125

€146
$157

Town House Traders Ltd

Black Painted Wall Mirror

£ 145

€169
$182
Black Painted Wall Mirror

Black Painted Wall Mirror

£ 145

€169
$182

Kernow Furniture

Edwardian Inlaid Oval Mahogany Cheval Mirror

£ 750

€876
$943
Edwardian Inlaid Oval Mahogany Cheval Mirror

Edwardian Inlaid Oval Mahogany Cheval Mirror

£ 750

€876
$943

Camden Antiques

Wall Mirror Impressive French Oak Mirror

£ 249

€291
$313
Wall Mirror Impressive French Oak Mirror

Wall Mirror Impressive French Oak Mirror

£ 249

€291
$313

Vintage World

A Large Edwardian Mahogany & Inlaid Oval Mirror

£ 195

€228
$245
A Large Edwardian Mahogany & Inlaid Oval Mirror

A Large Edwardian Mahogany & Inlaid Oval Mirror

£ 195

€228
$245

Antique Furniture Direct

Quality Large Gilt Convex Wall Mirror 3ft 2" Across

£ 350

€409
$440
Quality Large Gilt Convex Wall Mirror 3ft 2" Across

Quality Large Gilt Convex Wall Mirror 3ft 2" Across

£ 350

€409
$440

Town House Traders Ltd

Giltwood Florentine Mirror

£ 1,400

€1,635
$1,761
Giltwood Florentine Mirror

Giltwood Florentine Mirror

£ 1,400

€1635
$1761

Holmes Antiques

Fine George III Period Chippendale Giltwood Mirror

£ 28,000

€32,708
$35,220
Fine George III Period Chippendale Giltwood Mirror

Fine George III Period Chippendale Giltwood Mirror

£ 28,000

€32708
$35220

Andreas de Jong Ltd

Edwardian Silver Hand Mirror. Birm 1903

£ 145

€169
$182
Edwardian Silver Hand Mirror. Birm 1903

Edwardian Silver Hand Mirror. Birm 1903

£ 145

€169
$182

Jo Brayshaw

Art Deco Rectangular Oak Mirror

£ 300

€350
$377
Art Deco Rectangular Oak Mirror

Art Deco Rectangular Oak Mirror

£ 300

€350
$377

Elmgarden

Superb Large Venetian Cushion Mirror

£ 1,450

€1,694
$1,824
Superb Large Venetian Cushion Mirror

Superb Large Venetian Cushion Mirror

£ 1,450

€1694
$1824

Elmgarden

Mirror Outstanding Large Arts & Crafts Copper C1900

£ 595

€695
$748
Mirror Outstanding Large Arts & Crafts Copper C1900

Mirror Outstanding Large Arts & Crafts Copper C1900

£ 595

€695
$748

Cloverleaf Home Interiors

Antique Gilded Mirror

Robert Pagden Antiques

Antique Gilded Mirror

£ 245

€286
$308
Antique Gilded Mirror

Antique Gilded Mirror

£ 245

€286
$308

Robert Pagden Antiques

Large Carved Mid Century Round Mirror

£ 550

€642
$692
Large Carved Mid Century Round Mirror

Large Carved Mid Century Round Mirror

£ 550

€642
$692

Tony Youll Antiques

Victorian Giltwood Arch Top Overmantle Mirror

£ 1,650

€1,927
$2,075
Victorian Giltwood Arch Top Overmantle Mirror

Victorian Giltwood Arch Top Overmantle Mirror

£ 1,650

€1927
$2075

Lorna Byskou

Victorian Gilt Arch Top Overmantle Mirror

£ 2,300

€2,687
$2,893
Victorian Gilt Arch Top Overmantle Mirror

Victorian Gilt Arch Top Overmantle Mirror

£ 2,300

€2687
$2893

Lorna Byskou

19th Century Victorian English Gilt Overmantle Mirror

£ 1,295

€1,513
$1,629
19th Century Victorian English Gilt Overmantle Mirror

19th Century Victorian English Gilt Overmantle Mirror

£ 1,295

€1513
$1629

Burgett Langfield

19th Century Victorian English Gilt Overmantle Mirror

£ 895

€1,045
$1,126
Fabulous Victorian Gilt Overmantle Mirror

£ 995

€1,162
$1,252
Fabulous Victorian Gilt Overmantle Mirror

Fabulous Victorian Gilt Overmantle Mirror

£ 995

€1162
$1252

Fernyhough Antiques Ltd

Super Gilt French Trumeau Mirror

Fernyhough Antiques Ltd

Super Gilt French Trumeau Mirror

£ 895

€1,045
$1,126
Super Gilt French Trumeau Mirror

Super Gilt French Trumeau Mirror

£ 895

€1045
$1126

Fernyhough Antiques Ltd

Stylish Walnut Cheval Mirror

£ 496

€579
$624
Stylish Walnut Cheval Mirror

Stylish Walnut Cheval Mirror

£ 496

€579
$624

Elmgarden

Pair of Mahogany Circular Mirrors

Fernyhough Antiques Ltd

Pair of Mahogany Circular Mirrors

£ 1,295

€1,513
$1,629
Pair of Mahogany Circular Mirrors

Pair of Mahogany Circular Mirrors

£ 1,295

€1513
$1629

Fernyhough Antiques Ltd

Antique Walnut & Oak Cheval

D and A Binder LTD

Antique Walnut & Oak Cheval

£ 1,800

€2,103
$2,264
Antique Walnut & Oak Cheval

Antique Walnut & Oak Cheval

£ 1,800

€2103
$2264

D and A Binder LTD

Vintage Brass Framed Round Convex Mirror

£ 68

€79
$86
Vintage Brass Framed Round Convex Mirror

Vintage Brass Framed Round Convex Mirror

£ 68

€79
$86

Sunnyside Antiques

Very Long Art Deco Golden Oak Wall Mirror

£ 1,250

€1,460
$1,572
Very Long Art Deco Golden Oak Wall Mirror

Very Long Art Deco Golden Oak Wall Mirror

£ 1,250

€1460
$1572

Elmgarden

Attractive Pair of Georgian Style 19th Century Wall Mirrors

£ 895

€1,045
$1,126
Attractive Pair of Georgian Style 19th Century Wall Mirrors

Attractive Pair of Georgian Style 19th Century Wall Mirrors

£ 895

€1045
$1126

Marlborough Antiques & Interiors

Large Early 19th Century Florentine Giltwood Mirror

£ 1,600

€1,869
$2,013
Large Early 19th Century Florentine Giltwood Mirror

Large Early 19th Century Florentine Giltwood Mirror

£ 1,600

€1869
$2013

Holmes Antiques

Fine 19th Century Florentine Mirror

£ 1,500

€1,752
$1,887
Fine 19th Century Florentine Mirror

Fine 19th Century Florentine Mirror

£ 1,500

€1752
$1887

Holmes 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.