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.
£ 2,250
London City Antiques
Large Antique George III Quality Walnut Wall Mirror
£ 1,385
Georgian Antiques
Mid Victorian Mahogany Framed Wall Mirror
£ 275
Salisbury Antiques Centre
Mahogany Dressing Table Mirror
£ 260
Harmony Antiques
Antique French Faux Bamboo Mirror
£ 120
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
Highly Impressive French Walnut & Parcel Gilt Large Mirror
£ 3,450
Highly Impressive French Walnut & Parcel Gilt Large Mirror
£ 3,450
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
Burgett Langfield
Large 19th Century Victorian English Gilt Archtop Overmantle Mirror
£ 995
Rams Head Antiques
Regency Painted & Parcel Gilt Overmantel Mirror
£ 1,280
Rams Head Antiques
Antique Giltwood Arched Overmantel Mirror 19th Century
£ 1,250
Town House Traders Ltd
Antique Military Campaign Mirror
£ 220
Rams Head Antiques
Large Giltwood Pier Mirror Regency Period
£ 890
Middleton's Antiques
Early 19th Century Georgian Mahogany Toilet Mirror
£ 425
Burgett Langfield
Large 19th Century English Gilt Overmantle Mirror
£ 1,395
Burgett Langfield
Large 19th Century Victorian English Gilt Overmantle Pier Mirror
£ 1,295
£ 265
Georgian Antiques
Tall George III Style Inlaid Mahogany Cheval Mirror
£ 1,175
Elmgarden
Decorative Gilt Oval Mirror
£ 245
Harmony Antiques
English Butlers Porthole Convex Mirror by Atsonea
£ 175
Harmony Antiques
Large Butlers Porthole Convex Mirror
£ 220
£ 495
Unique Antiques By Emma Jade
Lovely Antique Victorian Quality Carved Oak Wall Mirror
£ 475
£ 325
£ 495
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
Large Mid Century Wall Mirror
£ 745
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
Impressive Wall Mirror
£ 995
Unique Antiques By Emma Jade
Superb Quality Antique Victorian Mahogany Inlaid Cheval Mirror
£ 2,195
Superb Quality Antique Victorian Mahogany Inlaid Cheval Mirror
£ 2,195
Unique Antiques By Emma Jade
D and A Binder LTD
Edwardian Triptych Fold Mirror
£ 480
£ 1,195
Large 19th Century Victorian English Gilt & Ebonised Overmantle Mirror
£ 1,195
Burgett Langfield
Walton House Antiques Ltd
Carved Wood & Gilded Florentine Mirror
£ 550
Burgett Langfield
Large 19th Century Victorian English Gilt Archtop Overmantle Mirror
£ 1,295
Large 19th Century Victorian English Gilt Archtop Overmantle Mirror
£ 1,295
Burgett Langfield
£ 1,895
Stunning Large Victorian Aesthetic Period Ebonised & Parcel Gilt Overmantle Mirror
£ 1,895
Burgett Langfield
Burgett Langfield
Large 19th Century Victorian English Gilt Archtop Overmantle Mirror
£ 1,895
Large 19th Century Victorian English Gilt Archtop Overmantle Mirror
£ 1,895
Burgett Langfield
Burgett Langfield
19th Century French Painted & Gilt Trumeau Overmantle Mirror
£ 1,895
£ 1,895
Large 19th Century English Ebonised & Silvered Gilt Overmantle Mirror
£ 1,895
Burgett Langfield
JMR Antiques Ltd
Pair of Late Victorian Mahogany Wall Mirrors
£ 495
Treehouse Antiques
Victorian Bamboo Coat Stand & Mirror
£ 145
Kernow Furniture
Gilt Dressing Mirror
£ 445
£ 475
In a Nutshell Antiques & Interiors Ltd
Antique Copper Convex Mirror
£ 175
Salisbury Antiques Centre
1930s Cheval Mirror
£ 260
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.