Relevant categories: Mirrors
( Above photo - Sheraton Cheval Mirror Antique Mahogany 1890 )
Antique mirrors are cherished artistic and priceless objects that have managed to maintain their charm over the years. Their attractive and multifunctional nature creates their high demand and makes them a perfect home, salon or spa décor fit.
( Above photo - Silver Gilt Mirror Rococo Carved Frame )
Mirrors came into existence in the 1600s and were initially referred to as Looking glasses. The very first make was from Italy in the 16th century and it was made from Lead glass. The glass were mostly coated by Chrome, Gold or Silver.
Later, mirrors were made from tin and mercury which was discouraging due to its poisonous nature. Over the next 100 years or so, different effective techniques were maximized to achieve better manufacturing processes making mirrors luxurious, opulent and only for the wealthy and Upper class people.
( Above photo - Chippendale Gilt Mirror Ho Ho Birds Carved Frame )
Research is paramount when it comes to finding authentic antique mirrors. Ensure you purchase your antique mirrors from renowned reputable dealers to get value for your money. Consider the age of the mirror, its history and condition before purchase and check for any repairs done on the mirror if any.
On the mirror frame, if made from wood, ensure you check for some signs of aging like natural wood darkening, chipping and staining. A perfect one will mean it’s a counterfeit. Detailing of the frames finishing in the past was done by hand hence uniformity was hardly achieved. If the frames of that antique mirror has uniformity, high chances are that it is a modern mirror.
In terms of the glass, antique mirror glass is normally thicker than modern mirrors, to confirm, take a key and lay its tip on the surface of the mirror. If it is authentic, the reflected tip image and the actual one’s tip will be near each other as opposed to modern mirrors.
The glass color is also a great way to distinguish an authentic antique mirror. Antique mirrors are usually yellowish or grayish due to the number of years they have accumulated while modern mirrors have a colorless glass. Waviness and bubbles are also another great tell of antique mirrors.
( Above photo - Rococo Mantle Mirror Carved Gilt Frame )
Handheld Mirrors
During our ancestors’ time, glass manufacturing restrains and inexperience limited them from having full body mirrors. The very first handheld metal-backed mirrors originated from Rome and Lebanon and was conveniently a few inches in diameter. Full length mirrors came into existence in the 1700s.
2. Cheval Mirrors
Cheval mirrors are full-length framed mirrors with the word Cheval originating from French and means Horse. They are associated with the Horse because of their four feet. On either side of the mirror, they are normally held up by two posts with a swivel present in most of them. They are normally decorated by natural patterns and their frames made from metal of wood.
( Above photo - Art Nouveau Mirror Floral Frame Silver Gilt )
1. Rococo Style –Oval or rectangular with wooden or metallic frames and flowers, seashells and feathers motifs.
2. Baroque Style – Gold or silver coated with angels, flowers, fruits or feather ornate carvings.
3. Georgiana Mirrors- Barely any decorations on, they are geometrical and symmetrical.
4. Gothic Mirrors- Use dark wood which protrudes at the top of the mirror.
5. Neoclassical Mirrors- Gilded with column style architecture. They are mostly rectangular.
6. Regency Mirrors- They use Mahogany and have thinner frames than all the other frames. They feature natural iconography, columns and flowers.
In conclusion, mirrors will never go out of style and hence antique mirrors are a great investment either as collectables or for home décor.
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