3/19/2024, 5:17:11
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Vintage & Antique Mirrors

(1,341 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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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

Lacquer Japanned Dressing Mirror

£ 950

€1,110
$1,195
Lacquer Japanned Dressing Mirror

Lacquer Japanned Dressing Mirror

£ 950

€1110
$1195

Millers Antiques

Italian Gilt Oval Mirror

£ 295

€345
$371
Italian Gilt Oval Mirror

Italian Gilt Oval Mirror

£ 295

€345
$371

Elmgarden

Regency Gilt Overmantle Mirror

£ 695

€812
$874
Regency Gilt Overmantle Mirror

Regency Gilt Overmantle Mirror

£ 695

€812
$874

JMR Antiques Ltd

19th Century French Mirror

Salisbury Antiques Centre

19th Century French Mirror

£ 780

€911
$981
19th Century French Mirror

19th Century French Mirror

£ 780

€911
$981

Salisbury Antiques Centre

Georgian Dressing Table Mirror

Salisbury Antiques Centre

Georgian Dressing Table Mirror

£ 380

€444
$478
Georgian Dressing Table Mirror

Georgian Dressing Table Mirror

£ 380

€444
$478

Salisbury Antiques Centre

Vintage Italian Hollywood Regency Style Mirror

£ 850

€993
$1,069
Vintage Italian Hollywood Regency Style Mirror

Vintage Italian Hollywood Regency Style Mirror

£ 850

€993
$1069

Marylebone Antiques

Antique Cheval Mirror

Daniel Clark Furniture

Antique Cheval Mirror

£ 675

€789
$849
Antique Cheval Mirror

Antique Cheval Mirror

£ 675

€789
$849

Daniel Clark Furniture

3 Oval Gilt Mirrors

Kernow Furniture

3 Oval Gilt Mirrors

£ 225

€263
$283
3 Oval Gilt Mirrors

3 Oval Gilt Mirrors

£ 225

€263
$283

Kernow Furniture

Impressive Tall Carved Swedish Giltwood Mirror

£ 4,950

€5,782
$6,226
Impressive Tall Carved Swedish Giltwood Mirror

Impressive Tall Carved Swedish Giltwood Mirror

£ 4,950

€5782
$6226

Georgian Antiques

Antique Victorian Walnut Overmantle Mirror

£ 375

€438
$472
Antique Victorian Walnut Overmantle Mirror

Antique Victorian Walnut Overmantle Mirror

£ 375

€438
$472

Kernow Furniture

Oval Mid 20th Century Mirror

£ 185

€216
$233
Oval Mid 20th Century Mirror

Oval Mid 20th Century Mirror

£ 185

€216
$233

Kernow Furniture

Pair of Stained Oak Wall Mirrors

£ 225

€263
$283
Pair of Stained Oak Wall Mirrors

Pair of Stained Oak Wall Mirrors

£ 225

€263
$283

Kernow Furniture

Large French Antique Gilt Mirror

£ 1,295

€1,513
$1,629
Large French Antique Gilt Mirror

Large French Antique Gilt Mirror

£ 1,295

€1513
$1629

Kernow Furniture

Pair of Arts & Crafts Oak Framed Mirrors

£ 165

€193
$208
Pair of Arts & Crafts Oak Framed Mirrors

Pair of Arts & Crafts Oak Framed Mirrors

£ 165

€193
$208

William Rand Antiques

Sheraton Mahogany Dressing Mirror,  Serpentine Base

£ 300

€350
$377
Sheraton Mahogany Dressing Mirror,  Serpentine Base

Sheraton Mahogany Dressing Mirror, Serpentine Base

£ 300

€350
$377

C.S.Moreton (Antiques)

Early 19th Century Rosewood Travel Mirror

£ 230

€269
$289
Early 19th Century Rosewood Travel Mirror

Early 19th Century Rosewood Travel Mirror

£ 230

€269
$289

Walton House Antiques Ltd

19th Century Convex Wall Mirror with Eagle Decoration

£ 895

€1,045
$1,126
Large Antique Victorian Quality Mahogany Cheval Mirror

£ 1,850

€2,161
$2,327
Large Antique Victorian Quality Mahogany Cheval Mirror

Large Antique Victorian Quality Mahogany Cheval Mirror

£ 1,850

€2161
$2327

London City Antiques

Chinoiserie Mid Century Mirror

£ 260

€304
$327
Chinoiserie Mid Century Mirror

Chinoiserie Mid Century Mirror

£ 260

€304
$327

Tony Youll Antiques

Pair of Carved & Gilded Wooden Mirrors

€ 900

£770
$969
Pair of Carved & Gilded Wooden Mirrors

Pair of Carved & Gilded Wooden Mirrors

€ 900

£770
$969

Alain Michel Antiques

Mahogany Cheval Mirror

Worboys Antiques

Mahogany Cheval Mirror

£ 425

€496
$535
Mahogany Cheval Mirror

Mahogany Cheval Mirror

£ 425

€496
$535

Worboys Antiques

Antique Victorian Carved Giltwood Vanity Mirror

£ 675

€789
$849
Antique Victorian Carved Giltwood Vanity Mirror

Antique Victorian Carved Giltwood Vanity Mirror

£ 675

€789
$849

Marylebone Antiques

English Butlers Porthole Convex Mirror

£ 65

€76
$82
English Butlers Porthole Convex Mirror

English Butlers Porthole Convex Mirror

£ 65

€76
$82

Harmony Antiques

Mahogany Regency Style Antique Wall Mirror

£ 395

€461
$497
Mahogany Regency Style Antique Wall Mirror

Mahogany Regency Style Antique Wall Mirror

£ 395

€461
$497

Philip Hunt Antiques

19th Antique Gilt Wall Mirror

£ 365

€426
$459
19th Antique Gilt Wall Mirror

19th Antique Gilt Wall Mirror

£ 365

€426
$459

The Old Yard

Sheraton Style Oval Wall Mirror

£ 325

€380
$409
Sheraton Style Oval Wall Mirror

Sheraton Style Oval Wall Mirror

£ 325

€380
$409

Georgian Antiques

Super Louis Engraved Wall Mirror

Fernyhough Antiques Ltd

Super Louis Engraved Wall Mirror

£ 995

€1,162
$1,252
Super Louis Engraved Wall Mirror

Super Louis Engraved Wall Mirror

£ 995

€1162
$1252

Fernyhough Antiques Ltd

Hollywood Regency Cheval Mirror

£ 510

€596
$642
Hollywood Regency Cheval Mirror

Hollywood Regency Cheval Mirror

£ 510

€596
$642

D and A Binder LTD

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.