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.
Debenham Antiques Ltd
19th Century Victorian Mahogany Toilet Mirror
£ 425
Tony Youll Antiques
Mid Century Round Mirror by Fitterman of Paris
£ 650
Church Street Antiques
Victorian Giltwood & Gesso Framed Mirror
£ 1,950
Athey Antiques
Overmantel Mirror
£ 395
Fernyhough Antiques Ltd
Very Rare & Impressive Victorian English Gilt Overmantle Mirror
£ 12,500
Very Rare & Impressive Victorian English Gilt Overmantle Mirror
£ 12,500
Fernyhough Antiques Ltd
Georgian Antiques
Art Deco Oak Framed Wall Mirror
£ 325
Stalham Antique Gallery
Small Antique Bow-front “Box” Dressing Mirror
£ 240
£ 895
Antique Cheltenham Mirror, English, Oak, Hallway Rack, Cloak Hooks, Edwardian
£ 895
London Fine Ltd
£ 950
Lorna Byskou
Victorian Gilt Arch Top Overmantle Mirror
£ 2,600
Lorna Byskou
Victorian Gilt Arch Top Overmantle Mirror
£ 1,750
£ 900
D and A Binder LTD
1950s Tri Fold Large Tabletop Mirror
£ 420
£ 395
Antique Furniture Direct
Victorian William Tonks Pierced Brass Girandole Mirror
£ 240
D and A Binder LTD
1960s Shoe Mirror (2)
£ 216
NP & A SALT ANTIQUES
Georgian Mahogany Bow Fronted Dressing Mirror
£ 225
£ 1,195
Large 19th Century Victorian English Walnut & Marquetry Overmantle Mirror
£ 1,195
Burgett Langfield
Burgett Langfield
Large 19th Century English Silvered Overmantle Mirror
£ 1,295
Elmgarden
Oval Gilt and Painted Wall Mirror
£ 295
Piers Rankin Silver Antiques
Sterling Silver and Guilloche Enamel Dressing Table Mirror
£ 245
Daniel Clark Furniture
Painted Cheval Mirror
£ 675
Mere Antiques
An Attractive 19th Century French Gilded Oval Mirror
£ 475
Church Street Antiques
Victorian Giltwood & Gesso Oval Wall Mirror
£ 880
Mere Antiques
A French Gilded Louis XVI Oval Girandole Mirror
£ 450
Burgett Langfield
Large 19th Century French Painted Overmantle Mirror
£ 1,295
Harmony Antiques
English Butlers Convex Mirror
£ 90
Graham Smith Antiques Ltd
Georgian Style Swing Dressing Mirror
£ 235
Salisbury Antiques Centre
Georgian Oval Dressing Table Mirror
£ 380
Salisbury Antiques Centre
Fine Regency Giltwood Convex Mirror
£ 2,250
Manoir Antiques and Decorative Interiors Ltd
Antique French Carved Mirror
£ 850
Salisbury Antiques Centre
Rococo Style Wall Mirror c.1890
£ 340
London City Antiques
Fine Quality Antique Victorian Mahogany & Walnut Marble Top Telescopic Dressing Stand
£ 2,250
Fine Quality Antique Victorian Mahogany & Walnut Marble Top Telescopic Dressing Stand
£ 2,250
London City Antiques
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Victorian Carved Mahogany Mirror
£ 375
Salisbury Antiques Centre
19th Century Triple Plate Overmantel Mirror
£ 850
Prior & Willis Antiques
Antique Large Fine Quality Gilt Overmantle Wall Mirror 19th Century
£ 2,495
Antique Large Fine Quality Gilt Overmantle Wall Mirror 19th Century
£ 2,495
Prior & Willis Antiques
Prior & Willis Antiques
Antique Large Fine Quality Ebonised Faux Bamboo Overmantle Wall Mirror 19th Century
£ 2,195
Antique Large Fine Quality Ebonised Faux Bamboo Overmantle Wall Mirror 19th Century
£ 2,195
Prior & Willis Antiques
Prior & Willis Antiques
Antique Large 19th Century Quality Ebonised & Gilt Overmantle Wall Mirror
£ 2,245
Antique Large 19th Century Quality Ebonised & Gilt Overmantle Wall Mirror
£ 2,245
Prior & Willis Antiques
Prior & Willis Antiques
Antique Large Quality Ebonised & Gilt Overmantle Wall Mirror 19th Century
£ 1,495
Antique Large Quality Ebonised & Gilt Overmantle Wall Mirror 19th Century
£ 1,495
Prior & Willis Antiques
Prior & Willis Antiques
Antique 19th Century Quality Louis Philippe Gilt Overmantle or Wall Mirror
£ 1,495
Antique 19th Century Quality Louis Philippe Gilt Overmantle or Wall Mirror
£ 1,495
Prior & Willis 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.