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.
Marylebone Antiques
Antique George II Period Walnut Mirror
£ 1,375
Millers Antiques
Lacquer Japanned Dressing Mirror
£ 950
Elmgarden
Italian Gilt Oval Mirror
£ 295
£ 144.49
JMR Antiques Ltd
Regency Gilt Overmantle Mirror
£ 695
£ 995
Salisbury Antiques Centre
19th Century French Mirror
£ 780
Salisbury Antiques Centre
Georgian Dressing Table Mirror
£ 380
Marylebone Antiques
Vintage Italian Hollywood Regency Style Mirror
£ 850
Daniel Clark Furniture
Antique Cheval Mirror
£ 675
Georgian Antiques
Early Georgian-Style Mahogany Cheval Dressing Mirror c.1920
£ 875
Whites Antiques
Late 19th Century Small Venetian Wall Mirror c.1890
£ 315
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
Kernow Furniture
3 Oval Gilt Mirrors
£ 225
Georgian Antiques
Impressive Tall Carved Swedish Giltwood Mirror
£ 4,950
Kernow Furniture
Antique Victorian Walnut Overmantle Mirror
£ 375
Kernow Furniture
Oval Mid 20th Century Mirror
£ 185
Kernow Furniture
Pair of Stained Oak Wall Mirrors
£ 225
Kernow Furniture
Large French Antique Gilt Mirror
£ 1,295
William Rand Antiques
Pair of Arts & Crafts Oak Framed Mirrors
£ 165
C.S.Moreton (Antiques)
Sheraton Mahogany Dressing Mirror, Serpentine Base
£ 300
Walton House Antiques Ltd
Early 19th Century Rosewood Travel Mirror
£ 230
JMR Antiques Ltd
19th Century Convex Wall Mirror with Eagle Decoration
£ 895
£ 895
Antique Valet Mirror, Glove Box, English, Reception, Scarf Rail - Victorian c.1880
£ 895
London Fine Ltd
£ 150
London City Antiques
Large Antique Victorian Quality Mahogany Cheval Mirror
£ 1,850
Tony Youll Antiques
Chinoiserie Mid Century Mirror
£ 260
Alain Michel Antiques
Pair of Carved & Gilded Wooden Mirrors
€ 900
Worboys Antiques
Mahogany Cheval Mirror
£ 425
Marylebone Antiques
Antique Victorian Carved Giltwood Vanity Mirror
£ 675
Prior & Willis Antiques
Large Quality Gilt Overmantle or Wall Mirror from the Art Deco Period, Antique, Circa 1900-1920
£ 1,495
Large Quality Gilt Overmantle or Wall Mirror from the Art Deco Period, Antique, Circa 1900-1920
£ 1,495
Prior & Willis Antiques
Harmony Antiques
English Butlers Porthole Convex Mirror
£ 65
Philip Hunt Antiques
Mahogany Regency Style Antique Wall Mirror
£ 395
The Old Yard
19th Antique Gilt Wall Mirror
£ 365
£ 545
Prior & Willis Antiques
Large Quality Burr Walnut Full-height Antique Wall Mirror from Circa 1910
£ 1,495
Large Quality Burr Walnut Full-height Antique Wall Mirror from Circa 1910
£ 1,495
Prior & Willis Antiques
Georgian Antiques
Sheraton Style Oval Wall Mirror
£ 325
London City Antiques
Large Antique Victorian Quality Giltwood and White Painted Overmantle Mirror
£ 2,450
Large Antique Victorian Quality Giltwood and White Painted Overmantle Mirror
£ 2,450
London City Antiques
Fernyhough Antiques Ltd
Super Louis Engraved Wall Mirror
£ 995
D and A Binder LTD
Hollywood Regency Cheval Mirror
£ 510
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.