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.
Dave Fry
Opaque Green Art Deco Mirror
£ 280
Elmgarden Antiques
Large Overmantel or Wall Mirror, Black Lacquer Frame
£ 1,750
Salisbury Antiques Centre
19thc Small Mahogany Cheval Mirror
£ 750
Antique & Modern Living
A Superb Pair Of Large Rococo Style Wall Mirrors
£ 4,950
Salisbury Antiques Centre
Decorative Giltwood Mirror
£ 425
Holmes Antiques
18th Century Walnut Toilet Mirror
£ 1,200
D and A Binder LTD
Vintage Brass Oval Vanity Mirror with Green Backing
£ 360
Elmgarden Antiques
Decorative Console Mirror with Shelf Under
£ 450
Georgian Antiques
Gilded Adam Style Oval Wall Mirror
£ 1,450
£ 3,250
Mid Victorian Carved Giltwood Overmantel Mirror with Original Water Gilding
£ 3,250
Georgian Antiques
£ 3,250
Mid Victorian Carved Giltwood Overmantel Mirror with Original Water Gilding
£ 3,250
Georgian Antiques
Elmgarden Antiques
A Large Painted and Gilt Sponged Painted Mirror
£ 750
£ 2,350
Stylish Mid-victorian Gilded Overmantel Mirror By Cicero Of Edinburgh
£ 2,350
Georgian Antiques
Georgian Antiques
George II Style Burr Elm Dressing Mirror
£ 375
Prior & Willis Antiques
Antique Large Quality Gilt Wall Mirror Trumeau C1920
£ 976.50
FB Antiques
Large Ornate Antique Mirror
£ 495
FB Antiques
Queen Anne Style Mahogany Cheval Mirror
£ 295
£ 1,950
Tall Antique Pier Mirror, English, Giltwood, Neoclassical Taste, Georgian, 1820
£ 1,950
London Fine Ltd
Elmgarden Antiques
Beautiful Large Gilt Wall Mirror
£ 320
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
A Good Length Queen Anne Style Wall Mirror
£ 295
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
A Mahogany 19th Century Small Fret Mirror
£ 295
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
A 19th Century Mahogany Small/Medium Sized Fret Mirror
£ 295
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
An Attractive Good Sized Gilt Over Mantle or Wall Mirror
Knight Fine Antiques & Collectables
Victorian Gilt Carved Overmantle Mirror
£ 850
Elmgarden Antiques
Very Pretty 19th Century French Oval Gilt Wall Mirror
£ 325
Robert Pagden Antiques
Antique 1780s Mirror
£ 175
Salisbury Antiques Centre
Decorative Gilt Mirror
£ 480
London City Antiques
Exceptional Quality Antique 19th Century Victorian Carved Oak Wall Mirror
£ 3,285
Exceptional Quality Antique 19th Century Victorian Carved Oak Wall Mirror
£ 3,285
London City Antiques
Debenham Antiques Ltd
19th Century Carved Mahogany Toilet Mirror
£ 475
Andrew Cox Antiques
A Gorgeous Art Deco Silver & Guilloche Enamel Hand Mirror
£ 225
Elmgarden Antiques
Elegant Bamboo Wall Mirror
£ 425
Elmgarden Antiques
French 19th Century Louis Philippe Shabby Gilt Mirror
£ 1,550
Knight Fine Antiques & Collectables
Antique Georgian Mahogany Dressing Table Mirror
£ 375
Marylebone Antiques
Art Deco Inlaid Walnut Mirror
£ 375
Harmony Antiques
Antique French Faux Bamboo Mirror
£ 95
Harmony Antiques
Near Pair of Antique French Faux Bamboo Mirrors
£ 165
Harmony Antiques
Antique French Faux Bamboo Mirror
£ 60
Lunar Antiques
Antique 19th Century Giltwood Oval Mirror
£ 395
Lee Wright Antiques Ltd
19th Century Italian Gilt Mirror
£ 3,400
Lee Wright Antiques Ltd
Large 19th Century Italian Giltwood Mirror
£ 4,500
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.