3/28/2024, 16:3:19
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Vintage & Antique Mirrors

(1,348 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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Mid Victorian Mahogany Framed Wall Mirror

£ 275

€321
$346
Mid Victorian Mahogany Framed Wall Mirror

Mid Victorian Mahogany Framed Wall Mirror

£ 275

€321
$346

Georgian Antiques

Mahogany Dressing Table Mirror

Salisbury Antiques Centre

Mahogany Dressing Table Mirror

£ 260

€304
$327
Mahogany Dressing Table Mirror

Mahogany Dressing Table Mirror

£ 260

€304
$327

Salisbury Antiques Centre

Antique French Faux Bamboo Mirror

£ 120

€140
$151
Antique French Faux Bamboo Mirror

Antique French Faux Bamboo Mirror

£ 120

€140
$151

Harmony Antiques

Highly Impressive French Walnut & Parcel Gilt Large Mirror

£ 3,450

€4,030
$4,340
Highly Impressive French Walnut & Parcel Gilt Large Mirror

Highly Impressive French Walnut & Parcel Gilt Large Mirror

£ 3,450

€4030
$4340

Marlborough Antiques & Interiors

Regency Painted & Parcel Gilt Overmantel Mirror

£ 1,280

€1,495
$1,610
Regency Painted & Parcel Gilt Overmantel Mirror

Regency Painted & Parcel Gilt Overmantel Mirror

£ 1,280

€1495
$1610

Rams Head Antiques

Antique Giltwood Arched Overmantel Mirror 19th Century

£ 1,250

€1,460
$1,572
Antique Giltwood Arched Overmantel Mirror 19th Century

Antique Giltwood Arched Overmantel Mirror 19th Century

£ 1,250

€1460
$1572

Rams Head Antiques

Antique Military Campaign Mirror

Town House Traders Ltd

Antique Military Campaign Mirror

£ 220

€257
$277
Antique Military Campaign Mirror

Antique Military Campaign Mirror

£ 220

€257
$277

Town House Traders Ltd

Large Giltwood Pier Mirror Regency Period

£ 890

€1,040
$1,120
Large Giltwood Pier Mirror Regency Period

Large Giltwood Pier Mirror Regency Period

£ 890

€1040
$1120

Rams Head Antiques

Early 19th Century Georgian Mahogany Toilet Mirror

£ 425

€496
$535
Early 19th Century Georgian Mahogany Toilet Mirror

Early 19th Century Georgian Mahogany Toilet Mirror

£ 425

€496
$535

Middleton's Antiques

Large 19th Century English Gilt Overmantle Mirror

£ 1,395

€1,630
$1,755
Large 19th Century English Gilt Overmantle Mirror

Large 19th Century English Gilt Overmantle Mirror

£ 1,395

€1630
$1755

Burgett Langfield

Tall George III Style Inlaid Mahogany Cheval Mirror

£ 1,175

€1,373
$1,478
Tall George III Style Inlaid Mahogany Cheval Mirror

Tall George III Style Inlaid Mahogany Cheval Mirror

£ 1,175

€1373
$1478

Georgian Antiques

Decorative Gilt Oval Mirror

£ 245

€286
$308
Decorative Gilt Oval Mirror

Decorative Gilt Oval Mirror

£ 245

€286
$308

Elmgarden

Large Butlers Porthole Convex Mirror

£ 220

€257
$277
Large Butlers Porthole Convex Mirror

Large Butlers Porthole Convex Mirror

£ 220

€257
$277

Harmony Antiques

Lovely Antique Victorian Quality Carved Oak Wall Mirror

£ 475

€555
$597
Lovely Antique Victorian Quality Carved Oak Wall Mirror

Lovely Antique Victorian Quality Carved Oak Wall Mirror

£ 475

€555
$597

Unique Antiques By Emma Jade

Large Mid Century Wall Mirror

Marlborough Antiques & Interiors

Large Mid Century Wall Mirror

£ 745

€870
$937
Large Mid Century Wall Mirror

Large Mid Century Wall Mirror

£ 745

€870
$937

Marlborough Antiques & Interiors

Impressive Wall Mirror

Marlborough Antiques & Interiors

Impressive Wall Mirror

£ 995

€1,162
$1,252
Impressive Wall Mirror

Impressive Wall Mirror

£ 995

€1162
$1252

Marlborough Antiques & Interiors

Superb Quality Antique Victorian Mahogany Inlaid Cheval Mirror

£ 2,195

€2,564
$2,761
Superb Quality Antique Victorian Mahogany Inlaid Cheval Mirror

Superb Quality Antique Victorian Mahogany Inlaid Cheval Mirror

£ 2,195

€2564
$2761

Unique Antiques By Emma Jade

Edwardian Triptych Fold Mirror

£ 480

€561
$604
Edwardian Triptych Fold Mirror

Edwardian Triptych Fold Mirror

£ 480

€561
$604

D and A Binder LTD

Carved Wood & Gilded Florentine Mirror

£ 550

€642
$692
Carved Wood & Gilded Florentine Mirror

Carved Wood & Gilded Florentine Mirror

£ 550

€642
$692

Walton House Antiques Ltd

Pair of Late Victorian Mahogany Wall Mirrors

£ 495

€578
$623
Pair of Late Victorian Mahogany Wall Mirrors

Pair of Late Victorian Mahogany Wall Mirrors

£ 495

€578
$623

JMR Antiques Ltd

Victorian Bamboo Coat Stand & Mirror

£ 145

€169
$182
Victorian Bamboo Coat Stand & Mirror

Victorian Bamboo Coat Stand & Mirror

£ 145

€169
$182

Treehouse Antiques

Gilt Dressing Mirror

Kernow Furniture

Gilt Dressing Mirror

£ 445

€520
$560
Gilt Dressing Mirror

Gilt Dressing Mirror

£ 445

€520
$560

Kernow Furniture

Antique Copper Convex Mirror

In a Nutshell Antiques & Interiors Ltd

Antique Copper Convex Mirror

£ 175

€204
$220
Antique Copper Convex Mirror

Antique Copper Convex Mirror

£ 175

€204
$220

In a Nutshell Antiques & Interiors Ltd

1930s Cheval Mirror

Salisbury Antiques Centre

1930s Cheval Mirror

£ 260

€304
$327
1930s Cheval Mirror

1930s Cheval Mirror

£ 260

€304
$327

Salisbury Antiques Centre

Antique George II Period Walnut Mirror

£ 1,375

€1,606
$1,730
Antique George II Period Walnut Mirror

Antique George II Period Walnut Mirror

£ 1,375

€1606
$1730

Marylebone 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.