Additionally, clean the glass of the mirror, but take care with the back, as this may wear off or scratch important metal coating. When dusting your mirror, do your best to be gentle, taking care not to abrasively rub the frame as this may cause chipping. Though some grease smudges, fingerprints, and dust can and should be cleaned off, antique mirrors are often very prone to damage during cleaning.
If you do choose to purchase an antique mirror, it is important to embrace imperfection. In some modern reproductions of antique mirrors, oxidization is applied to add to an authentic appearance. Oxidization typically resembles dark blotches on the mirror, and is very rarely uniform. Any micro scratches or abrasions will also result in some amount of oxidization. Due to the accumulation of moisture seeping between the glass and the sheet of metal, oxidation will most likely be visible towards the bottom of the mirror. Oxidizationīecause antique mirrors are generally backed by a very thin sheet of reflective metal, like silver or gold, you can expect to notice some level of oxidization over time. If there are no imperfections, however, it’s more likely that the mirror is a modern recreation, even if it otherwise looks like an antique mirror. Other imperfections like inconsistent glass thickness or waviness could also indicate that the mirror is old, though it isn’t always a guarantee the piece is an antique. Modern manufacturing of glass has largely eliminated bubbles and other impurities from being captured in panes, so seeing bubbles often indicates the mirror you are looking at is an antique. Outside of the use of tin and mercury in Venetian antique mirrors, which causes a mirrors to develop a crystalline appearance as it ages, there are other telltale signs of a mirror’s age.
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It wasn’t until the invention of silver-backed glass mirrors and subsequent mass production capabilities that the objects started to become a staple in middle class households.Ī Régence Style Carved Giltwood Mirror, 19th Century, sold for $1700 via Bonhams (January 26, 2021) How to Identify an Antique MirrorĪntique mirrors are commonly made of glass coated by silver, gold, or chrome. One of the most distinctive early styles was the Venetian Renaissance mirror, created by coating one side of glass with tin and mercury.
With the invention of glass blowing, mirrors also became increasingly popular, though initially reserved for the wealthy. Over time, the proliferation of mirrors coincided with technical developments.
Some metal-backed glass mirrors, much like the ones we use now, were first produced around the first to third century AD in ancient Rome. Other ancient civilizations used polished metals to produce the same effect. As far as back as 6,000 BC in Anatolia (modern day Turkey), humans were thought to have created some of the first mirror-like objects by polishing stones to create a flat, reflective surface, most likely out of volcanic obsidian. And if you’re not 100% satisfied, we have a no quibble refunds policy.A George II carved giltwood wall mirror, probably Irish, mid-18th century, Est: £10,000 – £15,000 via Sotheby’s London (November 13, 2020)īefore the invention of mirrors, historians believe that people used reflections in pools of water to evaluate appearance. We’re proud to offer a speedy delivery service when it comes to our customers receiving their order, with our reputed carriers taking the utmost care to ensure your mirror arrives in pristine condition. MirrorOutlet is the UK’s leading mirror retailer, and not just because of our fantastic selection of products.
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The clearance section is bursting with bargains in all shapes and sizes so check out our fantastic selection in the mirror sale! Vintage Style Mirrors with Free & Fast UK Delivery Find a sophistication with an ornate mirror or ramp up the luxury with one of our gold mirrors. We've got such a wide range, you're sure to find a mirror that matches your needs and tastes. Seeking Antique Style Mirror Inspiration? Whether you are looking for a small mirror with classic styling to add the finishing touch to your décor, or a large antique mirror style to create a striking feature wall, Mirror Outlet has hundreds of products to choose from.
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