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.
Town House Traders Ltd
Arts & Crafts Satin Walnut Cheval Dressing Mirror
£ 230
Witch Antiques
Victorian Mirror
£ 435
Antiques & Chic
Antique Meissen or Continental German Porcelain Mirror Set
£ 995
JMR Antiques Ltd
Superb Quality 19th Century Giltwood Wall Mirror
£ 595
Town House Traders Ltd
Antique Walnut Cheval Dressing Mirror
£ 190
Hingstons Antiques
Large 19th Century Gilt Mirror
£ 4,650
Town House Traders Ltd
Antique Gilt Framed Convex Wall Mirror
£ 150
Paul Watson Antiques & Interiors Norfolk
Queen Anne Style Walnut Cheval Mirror c.1930
£ 675
Paul Watson Antiques & Interiors Norfolk
Fine Edwardian Satinwood Cheval Mirror by Maple & Co
£ 850
Fine Edwardian Satinwood Cheval Mirror by Maple & Co
£ 850
Paul Watson Antiques & Interiors Norfolk
Tony Youll Antiques
Carved Giltwood Mirror
£ 220
Town House Traders Ltd
Antique Gilded Convex Wall Mirror
£ 180
Whites Antiques
Pair of 19th Century Italian Console Tables With Mirrors
£ 7,495
Avego Antiques and Collectibles
19th Century Georgian Mahogany Crossbanded Dressing Table Mirror Toilet Mirror
£ 185
19th Century Georgian Mahogany Crossbanded Dressing Table Mirror Toilet Mirror
£ 185
Avego Antiques and Collectibles
The Antique Warehouse
Hand Mirror: A Rare French Made, Solid Brass, Hand Mirror, from the Art Nouveau Period
£ 975
Hand Mirror: A Rare French Made, Solid Brass, Hand Mirror, from the Art Nouveau Period
£ 975
The Antique Warehouse
Georgian Antiques
Large Oval Victorian Carved Giltwood Mirror
£ 1,890
Tony Youll Antiques
Mid Century Round Mirror by Fitterman
£ 750
Rams Head Antiques
Neat Antique Pier Glass Mirror Reverse Painted Napoleon
£ 295
Georgian Antiques
Large Victorian Giltwood Overmantel Mirror in Excellent Condition
£ 3,250
Georgian Antiques
Fine Quality Mother of Pearl Inlaid Hongmu Chinese Mirror
£ 1,090
£ 1,075
Tony Youll Antiques
Large Cherrywood Faux Bamboo Mirror
£ 1,050
Whites Antiques
French Early 20th Century Trumeau Mirror c.1920
£ 985
Rams Head Antiques
Regency Pier Glass Mirror Giltwood
£ 385
Tony Youll Antiques
Large Venetian Mirror
£ 875
Town House Traders Ltd
Antique Chinoiserie Lacquered Wall Mirror
£ 145
£ 750
Stylish 19th Century Adams-style Neo-classical Gilded Oval Wall Mirror
£ 750
Georgian Antiques
Marylebone Antiques
1970s Vintage Chrome Floor Mirror by Durlston Designs
£ 450
Fernyhough Antiques Ltd
English Gilt Pier Mirror
£ 995
Fernyhough Antiques Ltd
Large Oval Gilt Mirror
£ 495
£ 375
JMR Antiques Ltd
English Regency Convex Mirror with Eagle Decoration
£ 995
JMR Antiques Ltd
Early 19th Century Carved Gilt Wall Mirror
£ 995
Andrew Cox Antiques
Gorgeous Art Deco Silver & Guilloche Enamel Hand Mirror
£ 175
Church Street Antiques
Victorian Giltwood Console & Mirror
£ 1,950
Church Street Antiques
Satinwood Sheraton Style Overmantel Mirror
£ 1,750
JMR Antiques Ltd
Small Islamic Inlaid Wall Mirror
£ 245
JMR Antiques Ltd
Superb Quality English Regency Overmantle Mirror
£ 895
JMR Antiques Ltd
Eastern Mirror with Mother of Pearl & Bead Decoration
£ 495
Marylebone Antiques
Adam Style Giltwood Mirror
£ 495
Marylebone Antiques
Georgian Style Mahogany Cheval Mirror
£ 950
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.