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.
Salisbury Antiques Centre
Large Giltwood & Gesso Oval Border Mirror
£ 1,950
Salisbury Antiques Centre
French Louis XV Style Giltwood & Gesso Mirror
£ 2,100
Witch Antiques
Victorian Gilt Mirror
£ 495
Walton House Antiques Ltd
Mid 19th Century French Gilded Mirror
£ 750
Whites Antiques
French 18th Century Carved Giltwood Mirror Original Plate
£ 1,420
£ 4,850
English 20th Century Circular Wooden Framed Mirror with Bevelled Edge
£ 4,850
Whites Antiques
CS & T Ornate Objects & Furniture
Antique Oval Dressing Mirror Late 19th Century Victorian
£ 145
Antique Oval Dressing Mirror Late 19th Century Victorian
£ 145
CS & T Ornate Objects & Furniture
Whites Antiques
Pair of Cast Iron Frame Mirrors
£ 2,460
D and A Binder LTD
1960s Shoe Mirror (1)
£ 216
D and A Binder LTD
Vintage Brass Shoe Mirror
£ 270
Marylebone Antiques
Pair of Art Deco Mirrors
£ 1,150
Kernow Furniture
Georgian Walnut Mirror
£ 475
Burgett Langfield
Large 19th Century English Gilt & Ebonised Archtop Overmantle Mirror
£ 995
Large 19th Century English Gilt & Ebonised Archtop Overmantle Mirror
£ 995
Burgett Langfield
Sturmans Antiques Ltd
Victorian Timber & Plaster Gilt Oval Wall Mirror
£ 289
Burgett Langfield
Large 19th Century Victorian English Silvered Overmantle Mirror
£ 2,500
Witch Antiques
Art Deco Jazz Mirror
£ 445
Burgett Langfield
Large 19th Century Victorian English Overmantle Mirror
£ 1,495
Booth Antiques
Superb Large Victorian Silver Framed Table Mirror
£ 235
Kernow Furniture
French Walnut Overmantle Mirror
£ 395
Tony Youll Antiques
Small Venetian Mirror
£ 375
Town House Traders Ltd
Pair Ornate Gilt Framed Wall Mirrors
£ 175
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Art Nouveau Beaten Brass Mirror
£ 975
Burgett Langfield
Large 19th Century Victorian English Gilt Archtop Overmantle Mirror
£ 1,195
Large 19th Century Victorian English Gilt Archtop Overmantle Mirror
£ 1,195
Burgett Langfield
Burgett Langfield
Large 19th Century Victorian English Gilt Archtop Overmantle Mirror
£ 1,500
Large 19th Century Victorian English Gilt Archtop Overmantle Mirror
£ 1,500
Burgett Langfield
Burgett Langfield
Large 19th Century Italian Venetian Overmantle Mirror
£ 2,200
Lorna Byskou
Pair of Painted & Parcel-gilt Pier Mirrors
£ 1,250
£ 1,695
Large 19th Century English Victorian Painted & Parcel - Gilt Overmantle Mirror
£ 1,695
Burgett Langfield
£ 595
Charles Jarvis Ltd
Mahogany Toilet Mirror
£ 220
Fernyhough Antiques Ltd
Fabulous Adam Oval Gilt Mirror
£ 1,495
Stalham Antique Gallery
Good Large Oval Victorian Mirror with Panel Back
£ 380
Stalham Antique Gallery
Regency Period Convex Mirror
£ 1,350
£ 350
Fernyhough Antiques Ltd
Good Round Gilt Mirror
£ 295
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Adam Style Giltwood Mirror
£ 750
Harmony Antiques
Antique French Faux Bamboo Mirror
£ 90
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
Attractive Satinwood Painted Dressing Table Mirror
£ 250
Church Street Antiques
Early 20th Century Adam Style Giltwood Oval Wall Mirror
£ 240
B Southgate
Spanish Sunburst Oval Mirror
£ 395
Marylebone Antiques
Antique William IV Rosewood Overmantle Mirror
£ 275
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.