Antiques -> Decorative Arts -> Mirrors
Antique mirrors are a highly collectible item, with many of the frames boasting decorative carving and detail much like elaborate, wooden picture frames of old. A mirror itself is little more than glass covering a reflective surface and not very impressive—many of us carry tiny mirrors with us, they’re one of the most common items found households today. But antique mirrors are set apart by their frames and the work and artistry that went into them.
Mirrors began as hand mirrors, used to look at one’s reflection, and were quite common in households by the end of the middle ages. The first large mirrors, big enough to reflect a person’s entire body, weren’t used until the 1st century AD. Often the mirrors were silver or polished bronze during their surge of popularity in the middle ages. Venice mirrors produced in the 12th and 13th century were of exceptional quality and craftsmanship, with their mirror-making secrets leaking to London and Paris, who became centers of mirror production in the 17th century. Few antique mirrors had survived, but even the new mirrors that were produced were very expensive, particularly the large ones used in places like the royal palace at Versailles.
From then on, mirrors became more than reflective pieces of glass, but rather were prized as decorative items. Frames were typically made from silver, ebony, ivory, tortoiseshell or veneered wood, though other frames like those from beads or crafted with needlework were produced, too. Carved frames became popular thanks to craftsmen like Grinling Gibbons, and soon it because vogue to put mirrors, often those in glass frames, above mantelpieces. Robert and James Adam are recognizable names from this period, as antique mirrors they designed usually stretched from the mantelpiece to the ceiling.
Antique mirrors from the late 18th century will often have painted frames rather than carved ones. And the movement began in France to creative oval or round mirrors with spots for candles on each side. Dressing mirrors made from cheval glass that stood alone also appeared as mirror-makers skills improved. The 19th century saw mirrors used in other furniture like wardrobes, because it was becoming less expensive to produce mirrors. Composition frames became common in less expensive mirrors. These were plaster frames on wire bases, that unfortunately didn’t hold up to long term use because of he easily damaged nature of plaster.
Antique mirrors that you can find today are typically valuable, especially those that are part of antique furniture. Things to watch out for are online auctioneers who use the world “antique” to describe a technique used in making the mirror, like antiquing as a finish. Ask about the history of the piece, and how they know it’s antique, because modern furniture can be made to look surprisingly aged and vintage. If you’re shopping flea markets or antique shops, be aware that a true antique mirror was made with more expensive materials than mirrors today. The glass is thicker, so antique mirrors weight much more than modern pieces.
Originally posted 2008-10-18 14:00:41. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Related Posts -
The Benefits of Antiques Insurance If you have a collection of antiques, collectibles or fine art, then you may find yourself wondering about insurance coverage, and how antiques insurance can possibly be used to cover your needs and ensure that your cherished items are protected. In general, antiques insurance is tricky because placing a value...... -
Art Deco Furniture Antiques -> Periods and Styles -> Art Deco Art deco furniture antiques are highly sought after and are often very unique pieces. If you love this time period, or if you are simply looking for furniture that transcends the every day mundane design, art deco furniture is the perfect choice....... -
Barrister Bookcase Dealers -> Furniture -> Bookcases Patented in 1892, a barrister bookcase is a special type of bookcase that's enclosed with clear glass covering the front, differentiating it from a typical open-shelf bookcase. These bookcases got their start in the UK, but became popular worldwide because of their unique stackable...... -
Victorian Furniture Dealers -> Periods-Styles -> Victorian Though its peak popularity was during the late 19th century in America, Victorian furniture still holds quite an appeal for many people today. This style of furniture is distinguishable by the time period in which it was created and the methods that were used. The...... - French Antiques Antiquess -> Antiquities -> Neolithic, Paleolithic Although the first thing that springs to mind in many people when the term French antiques is mentioned is Louis XVI furniture, there are numerous antiquities from this region that are incredibly valuable. France was the site of some of the first Paleolithic peoples......
Related Websites -
Japanese Art Collectibles -> Cultures-Ethnicities -> Asian Japanese art is a type of art that has a very distinctive look. If a painting, a vase, a sculpture or some other type of art is Japanese, particularly if it’s antique art, it usually only takes a quick look for you to recognize the...... -
Budget Decoration Tips: Use What You Have One of the most popular budget decoration tips is to use paint over other materials, because paint is cheaper and more easily changed. But if you want to be even better to your budget than dipping in to buy several gallons of paint, there are many ways you can use...... - Crystal Chandelier Collectibles -> Lamps, Lighting -> Ceiling Fixtures The crystal chandelier got its start in the 1600s in England, when the use of lead glass became common and even popular. Originally used in medieval abbeys and churches to light up the cavernous rooms, the chandelier started out as a wooden cross......
-
Antiques and Collectibles At the thought of collectible home décor, one can easily conjure up a number of images, including images of memorabilia, art deco paintings and accents, cartoons, games, toys, videos, calendars, comics, clothing, posters, accessories and a wide variety of other antiques and collectibles that can be used as décor within...... - Antique Crucifixes Collectables -> Religions, Spirituality -> Christianity Antique crucifixes are an interesting collector hobby, with collections that can range from very rough, early wooden carvings that barely resemble a modern crucifix, to brass or ivory depictions done more recently. While some people collect rather ornate crosses in all materials, a crucifix......
