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Vintage & Antique Mirrors

(1,795 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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Victorian Walnut “chippendale” Fretwork Mirror

£ 280

€327
$352
Victorian Walnut “chippendale” Fretwork Mirror

Victorian Walnut “chippendale” Fretwork Mirror

£ 280

€327
$352

Antique Furniture Direct

Antique French Giltwood Mirror

£ 975

€1,139
$1,226
Antique French Giltwood Mirror

Antique French Giltwood Mirror

£ 975

€1139
$1226

Marylebone Antiques

Danish Vintage Rosewood Mirror by Aksel Kjersgaard

£ 1,250

€1,460
$1,572
Danish Vintage Rosewood Mirror by Aksel Kjersgaard

Danish Vintage Rosewood Mirror by Aksel Kjersgaard

£ 1,250

€1460
$1572

Marylebone Antiques

Large French Carved Oak Wall Mirror

Sussex Antiques and Interiors

Large French Carved Oak Wall Mirror

£ 950

€1,110
$1,195
Large French Carved Oak Wall Mirror

Large French Carved Oak Wall Mirror

£ 950

€1110
$1195

Sussex Antiques and Interiors

19th Century Gilt Wood Mirror

£ 385

€450
$484
19th Century Gilt Wood Mirror

19th Century Gilt Wood Mirror

£ 385

€450
$484

Rams Head Antiques

19th Century Gilt Wood Mirror

£ 385

€450
$484
19th Century Gilt Wood Mirror

19th Century Gilt Wood Mirror

£ 385

€450
$484

Rams Head Antiques

Art Deco Mirror

Graham Deakin Antiques

Art Deco Mirror

£ 175

€204
$220
Art Deco Mirror

Art Deco Mirror

£ 175

€204
$220

Graham Deakin Antiques

Good Large Arched French Gilt Mirror

£ 985

€1,151
$1,239
Good Large Arched French Gilt Mirror

Good Large Arched French Gilt Mirror

£ 985

€1151
$1239

Rams Head Antiques

Edwardian Brass Vanity Mirror With Mahogany Base

£ 360

€421
$453
Edwardian Brass Vanity Mirror With Mahogany Base

Edwardian Brass Vanity Mirror With Mahogany Base

£ 360

€421
$453

D and A Binder LTD

1950s Tri Fold Mirror

D and A Binder LTD

1950s Tri Fold Mirror

£ 540

€631
$679
1950s Tri Fold Mirror

1950s Tri Fold Mirror

£ 540

€631
$679

D and A Binder LTD

Vintage 1960s Brass Oval Vanity Mirror

£ 360

€421
$453
Vintage 1960s Brass Oval Vanity Mirror

Vintage 1960s Brass Oval Vanity Mirror

£ 360

€421
$453

D and A Binder LTD

Very Pretty Gilt Oval Gesso Mirror

£ 500

€584
$629
Very Pretty Gilt Oval Gesso Mirror

Very Pretty Gilt Oval Gesso Mirror

£ 500

€584
$629

Elmgarden Antiques

Arts and Crafts Hand Beaten Brass Mirror

£ 500

€584
$629
Arts and Crafts Hand Beaten Brass Mirror

Arts and Crafts Hand Beaten Brass Mirror

£ 500

€584
$629

Elmgarden Antiques

Victorian Giltwood Arch Top Overmantle Mirror

£ 1,550

€1,811
$1,950
Victorian Giltwood Arch Top Overmantle Mirror

Victorian Giltwood Arch Top Overmantle Mirror

£ 1,550

€1811
$1950

Lorna Byskou

Victorian Silvered Overmantle Mirror

£ 1,450

€1,694
$1,824
Victorian Silvered Overmantle Mirror

Victorian Silvered Overmantle Mirror

£ 1,450

€1694
$1824

Lorna Byskou

Victorian Gilt Arch Top Overmantle Mirror

£ 2,400

€2,804
$3,019
Victorian Gilt Arch Top Overmantle Mirror

Victorian Gilt Arch Top Overmantle Mirror

£ 2,400

€2804
$3019

Lorna Byskou

Rectangular Multipanel Design Mirror

£ 230

€269
$289
Rectangular Multipanel Design Mirror

Rectangular Multipanel Design Mirror

£ 230

€269
$289

Dave Fry

Quality Art Deco Mirror

£ 320

€374
$403
Quality Art Deco Mirror

Quality Art Deco Mirror

£ 320

€374
$403

Dave Fry

Opaque Green Art Deco Mirror

£ 280

€327
$352
Opaque Green Art Deco Mirror

Opaque Green Art Deco Mirror

£ 280

€327
$352

Dave Fry

Large Overmantel or Wall Mirror, Black Lacquer Frame

£ 1,750

€2,044
$2,201
Large Overmantel or Wall Mirror, Black Lacquer Frame

Large Overmantel or Wall Mirror, Black Lacquer Frame

£ 1,750

€2044
$2201

Elmgarden Antiques

19thc Small Mahogany Cheval Mirror

Salisbury Antiques Centre

19thc Small Mahogany Cheval Mirror

£ 750

€876
$943
19thc Small Mahogany Cheval Mirror

19thc Small Mahogany Cheval Mirror

£ 750

€876
$943

Salisbury Antiques Centre

A Superb Pair Of Large Rococo Style Wall Mirrors

£ 4,950

€5,782
$6,226
A Superb Pair Of Large Rococo Style Wall Mirrors

A Superb Pair Of Large Rococo Style Wall Mirrors

£ 4,950

€5782
$6226

Antique & Modern Living

Decorative Giltwood Mirror

Salisbury Antiques Centre

Decorative Giltwood Mirror

£ 425

€496
$535
Decorative Giltwood Mirror

Decorative Giltwood Mirror

£ 425

€496
$535

Salisbury Antiques Centre

18th Century Walnut Toilet Mirror

£ 1,200

€1,402
$1,509
18th Century Walnut Toilet Mirror

18th Century Walnut Toilet Mirror

£ 1,200

€1402
$1509

Holmes Antiques

Vintage Brass Oval Vanity Mirror with Green Backing

£ 360

€421
$453
Vintage Brass Oval Vanity Mirror with Green Backing

Vintage Brass Oval Vanity Mirror with Green Backing

£ 360

€421
$453

D and A Binder LTD

Decorative Console Mirror with Shelf Under

£ 450

€526
$566
Decorative Console Mirror with Shelf Under

Decorative Console Mirror with Shelf Under

£ 450

€526
$566

Elmgarden Antiques

Gilded Adam Style Oval Wall Mirror

£ 1,450

€1,694
$1,824
Gilded Adam Style Oval Wall Mirror

Gilded Adam Style Oval Wall Mirror

£ 1,450

€1694
$1824

Georgian Antiques

A Large Painted and Gilt Sponged Painted Mirror

£ 750

€876
$943
A Large Painted and Gilt Sponged Painted Mirror

A Large Painted and Gilt Sponged Painted Mirror

£ 750

€876
$943

Elmgarden Antiques

George II Style Burr Elm Dressing Mirror

£ 375

€438
$472
George II Style Burr Elm Dressing Mirror

George II Style Burr Elm Dressing Mirror

£ 375

€438
$472

Georgian Antiques

Antique Large Quality Gilt Wall Mirror Trumeau C1920

£ 976.50

€1,141
$1,228
Antique Large Quality Gilt Wall Mirror Trumeau C1920

Antique Large Quality Gilt Wall Mirror Trumeau C1920

£ 976.50

€1141
$1228

Prior & Willis Antiques

Large Ornate Antique Mirror

£ 495

€578
$623
Large Ornate Antique Mirror

Large Ornate Antique Mirror

£ 495

€578
$623

FB 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.