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.
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
A Lovely Victorian Over Mantle Mirror
£ 1,250
Piers Rankin Silver Antiques
Sterling Silver Pink Guilloche Enamel Hand Mirror
£ 235
Piers Rankin Silver Antiques
Yellow Guilloche Enamel and Sterling Silver Hand Mirror
£ 235
Piers Rankin Silver Antiques
Decorative and Unusual Sterling Silver Standing Mirror
£ 285
Town House Traders Ltd
Antique Gilt Convex Wall Mirror Porthole Mirror
£ 125
Town House Traders Ltd
Antique Gilt Convex Wall Mirror Porthole Mirror
£ 125
Wick Antiques Ltd
Large & Ornate Silver Table Mirror – A Wedding Gift to Prince & Princess Henry of Battenberg 1885
£ 28,500
Large & Ornate Silver Table Mirror – A Wedding Gift to Prince & Princess Henry of Battenberg 1885
£ 28,500
Wick Antiques Ltd
Kernow Furniture
Black Painted Wall Mirror
£ 145
Camden Antiques
Edwardian Inlaid Oval Mahogany Cheval Mirror
£ 750
Vintage World
Wall Mirror Impressive French Oak Mirror
£ 249
Antique Furniture Direct
A Large Edwardian Mahogany & Inlaid Oval Mirror
£ 195
ActFurniture LTD
Antique 19th Century Good Quality Cheval Mirror In Mahogany
£ 825
Georgian Antiques
Exhibition Quality Triptych Mirror by Whytock & Reid of Edinburgh
£ 750
Town House Traders Ltd
Quality Large Gilt Convex Wall Mirror 3ft 2" Across
£ 350
Holmes Antiques
Giltwood Florentine Mirror
£ 1,400
Andreas de Jong Ltd
Fine George III Period Chippendale Giltwood Mirror
£ 28,000
Jo Brayshaw
Edwardian Silver Hand Mirror. Birm 1903
£ 145
£ 1,450
Elmgarden
Art Deco Rectangular Oak Mirror
£ 300
£ 825
Antique 20th Century Barley Twist Cheval Mirror In Oak ( Ref Af-3541 )
£ 825
ActFurniture LTD
Elmgarden
Superb Large Venetian Cushion Mirror
£ 1,450
Cloverleaf Home Interiors
Mirror Outstanding Large Arts & Crafts Copper C1900
£ 595
Robert Pagden Antiques
Antique Gilded Mirror
£ 245
Tony Youll Antiques
Large Carved Mid Century Round Mirror
£ 550
London Fine Ltd
Antique Vanity Mirror, English, Reception Hall, Morning Room, Bedroom - Georgian c.1780
£ 1,295
Antique Vanity Mirror, English, Reception Hall, Morning Room, Bedroom - Georgian c.1780
£ 1,295
London Fine Ltd
Lorna Byskou
Victorian Giltwood Arch Top Overmantle Mirror
£ 1,650
Lorna Byskou
Victorian Gilt Arch Top Overmantle Mirror
£ 2,300
London City Antiques
Large Antique Edwardian Inlaid & Gilt Mahogany Fretted Wall Mirror
£ 995
Large Antique Edwardian Inlaid & Gilt Mahogany Fretted Wall Mirror
£ 995
London City Antiques
Burgett Langfield
19th Century Victorian English Gilt Overmantle Mirror
£ 1,295
Burgett Langfield
19th Century Victorian English Gilt Overmantle Mirror
£ 895
Fernyhough Antiques Ltd
Fabulous Victorian Gilt Overmantle Mirror
£ 995
Fernyhough Antiques Ltd
Super Gilt French Trumeau Mirror
£ 895
Elmgarden
Stylish Walnut Cheval Mirror
£ 496
Fernyhough Antiques Ltd
Pair of Mahogany Circular Mirrors
£ 1,295
D and A Binder LTD
Antique Walnut & Oak Cheval
£ 1,800
Sunnyside Antiques
Vintage Brass Framed Round Convex Mirror
£ 68
£ 1,250
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
Attractive Pair of Georgian Style 19th Century Wall Mirrors
£ 895
Attractive Pair of Georgian Style 19th Century Wall Mirrors
£ 895
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
Holmes Antiques
Large Early 19th Century Florentine Giltwood Mirror
£ 1,600
Holmes Antiques
Fine 19th Century Florentine Mirror
£ 1,500
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.