The glass color is another indicator of age:
- Old mirror glass has a distinctive yellow or gray cast.
- Colorless glass indicates a modern mirror or replacement mirror glass.
How can you tell if a mirror is antique?
If the mirror has a sparkly, crystalline appearance behind the glass, it likely is an antique. The mirror-like coating on the back of an antique mirror, whether made with tin and mercury or a thin sheet of silver, tarnishes or oxidizes over time.
How do I learn about old mirrors?
Learn about old mirrors to acquire a wider knowledge of the types that tend to increase in value as they age. Get reference books on antique and vintage mirrors from your local library or bookstores, or subscribe to an antique-inspired magazine.
How can I determine the worth of my Mirror?
The glass has very slight clouding and just one or two tiny black marks. How might I determine the worth of my mirror and its style? Answer: It could be between $25 and $50. The frameless wall mirror is a mid-century design. Question: I have a round sterling silver vanity mirror with flowers, leaves, and vines on it.
How can I tell what year my 1029 mirror is?
They often have a stamp on the back of the mirror that shows the year and manufacture location. Unfortunately, I'm not sure what year or style the number 1029 indicates. Bonnie B on July 27, 2019:
How to tell if a mirror is antique?
What is the coating on the back of an antique mirror?
Why is mercury mirror a mirror?
What makes a sheet of glass a mirror?
Where is the oxidation on a mirror?
Is sheet glass smooth?
Is a mirror an antique?
See 4 more
About this website
How can you tell if a mirror is vintage?
Most experts require that a piece be at least a hundred years old or made before mass manufacturing to be considered a genuine antique. One of the clear tell-signs that a mirror is actually many years old is by a simple examination of the glass.
What year is my mirror?
Start with the year you were born, then simply subtract your age. The result is your 'mirror year'. For example, if you've recently turned 25 then subtract that number from the year 1989 to get a mirror year of 1964. Why do that?
When did they stop using mercury in mirrors?
1840sMirror makers stopped using mercury in the 1840s, instead switching to silver nitrate, which is still used today. Purpose of the Mercury: During the 16th century, liquid metals were used in the production of mirrors.
Are old mirrors worth any money?
Answer: It would be considered an antique if it is 100 years old. There are a number of large beveled mirrors researched that are from $50 to $150.
What is a mirror date?
Today's date, 22/02/22, is an example of a mirror date. The date, also known as a palindrome, can be read left to right, and right to left, while still holding meaning. In short, mirror dates are reversible and, well, 'mirror' the numbers when read in either direction.
Why are antique mirrors so heavy?
Antique glass is typically thicker and heavier than modern glass to accommodate for the process of hand-blown glass production. It is essential to take note of how thick your antique mirror is.
How can you tell if you have a mercury mirror?
Mercury mirrors reflect less light and have a bluish appearance, while silver mirrors look more yellow. This effect can be enhanced by placing a thin piece of paper over the mirror, which will appear paler and brighter over the silver mirror (Hadsund 1993).
Why do antique mirrors get black spots?
If you've ever picked up an antique mirror, you may have noticed several dark spots running along the edge of the glass. These dark spots are caused by “mirror rot”, or “desilvering.” Unfortunately, even the most well-kept bathroom mirrors can develop them over time.
What are old mirrors made of?
Antique mirrors are commonly made of glass coated by silver, gold, or chrome. 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.
How can you tell a good mirror?
The quality of the mirror is determined by four aspects:The purity of the sheet of glass.The flatness of the sheet of glass.The thickness of the mirror's glass.The reflective coating on the glass (this coat turns the sheet of glass into a mirror)
Are bevelled mirrors dated?
Bevel-Strip Framing This relic of the Hollywood Glam trend is just as dated as metallic furniture. Time to let it go…let it go!
What are antique mirrors called?
Initially, antique mirrors were known as “looking glasses” and were made in Murano and silvered in Venice. This was in the 16th century. It was not until the 17th century when they began making them in England, first by Sir Robert Mansell and then by the Duke of Buckingham.
What happens to old mirrors?
Mirror Rot is caused by moisture penetrating between the layer of glass and the layer of metal. Once water vapour has wormed its way in, the metal that makes your mirror shiny begins to react and oxidize (rust), turning an ugly black.
Are bevelled mirrors dated?
Bevel-Strip Framing This relic of the Hollywood Glam trend is just as dated as metallic furniture. Time to let it go…let it go!
What are vintage mirror frames made of?
Antique mirrors are commonly made of glass coated by silver, gold, or chrome. 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.
What is 2 way mirror?
Definition of two-way mirror : a piece of glass that is a mirror on one side but that can be seen through like a window from the other side.
How to tell if a mirror is antique?
If you've ever looked at an antique mirror you know to be antique, you may have recognized this effect when seeing your reflection . On a true antique mirror in a frame, the oxidation is probably greatest near the bottom, as moisture from cleaning the mirror seeps down behind the frame and may soak the mirror backing at times. If the oxidation looks too even or uniform, the piece may not be antique. Look for scratches that seem they've been there for a long time as well, as they may indicate a true antique. These same qualities also apply to hand mirrors.
What is the coating on the back of an antique mirror?
The mirror-like coating on the back of an antique mirror, whether made with tin and mercury or a thin sheet of silver, tarnishes or oxidizes over time. This results in dark or blotchy spots visible through the glass when looking at the front of the mirror.
Why is mercury mirror a mirror?
Old mercury mirrors age to create a somewhat sparkly effect. If the mirror has a sparkly, crystalline appearance behind the glass , it likely is an antique.
What makes a sheet of glass a mirror?
The reflective coating used on the back of the glass is what makes a sheet of glass become a mirror. The materials used to create this effect have changed greatly over the years. Beginning in the 16th century, mercury was spread over a thin layer of tin. Glass was placed atop the mercury, and a reaction between mercury and tin caused the mirror-like substance to adhere to the glass. Old mercury mirrors age to create a somewhat sparkly effect. If the mirror has a sparkly, crystalline appearance behind the glass, it likely is an antique.
Where is the oxidation on a mirror?
On a true antique mirror in a frame, the oxidation is probably greatest near the bottom, as moisture from cleaning the mirror seeps down behind the frame and may soak the mirror backing at times. If the oxidation looks too even or uniform, the piece may not be antique.
Is sheet glass smooth?
Modern sheet glass is typically smooth and free of bubbling, thanks to manufacturing techniques that weren't known in centuries past. Look closely at the mirror glass for a slight waviness or random bubbles within the glass.
Is a mirror an antique?
Just because a mirror looks like an antique doesn't necessarily make it so. Reproduction mirrors may have the same shape or style as their true antique counterparts, or a new mirror may be housed in an old frame. Telltale signs of age, such as oxidation and scratches, help determine whether that prized mirror is a reproduction or true antique.
How to tell when a mirror was made?
Answer: Look for any trademarks or other determining marks, labels, and dates. The numbers usually indicate the year the mirror was made.
How to find the value of antique mirrors?
Answer: It would be the best way to find out by taking photos of the mirrors and showing them to a local antique dealer or upload the photos to online appraisal sites . Some of the websites are free and others cost to determine their background and value.
What is the importance of the overall condition of a mirror frame?
The overall condition and material used to make a mirror frame plays an important role in valuation. Look for imperfections that differentiate a handmade mirror from a pristine reproduction. The frame should show reasonable signs of wear and tear that comes with age.
What is the silver backing on an antique mirror?
The reflective silver mercury backing on an antique mirror breaks down and oxidizes over time , appearing as random cloudy spots around the edges and across the mirror's surface.
What is antique mirror?
Antique mirrors typically feature a wood rather than a paper backing. Examine the construction to ensure all nails, screws, and hangers are true to the period. Hand-forged fasteners will look extremely crude and irregular compared to modern, machine-made versions.
How much does a frameless mirror cost?
Answer: It could be between $25 and $50. The frameless wall mirror is a mid-century design.
Where is L'Artes mirror made?
L'Artes made in italy and made in italy ART 769 is stamped on the back of a LaBarge sold mirror. Answer: If it is an Italian LaBarge mirror the value could be from $500 to $2800 which would determine the date of manufacture if it is in good condition. Question: I own an American beauty mirror.
How long is a mirror?
As it happens, you’re likely to find mirrors to have a less than 2’ – 3’ length. Following the industrial improvements in the 1800s, larger mirrors came into play for certain purposes. Limited technical processing kept it difficult to produce large-size glass sheets or its holding frame.
What are the different types of antique mirrors?
Antique Mirror Categories with Timeline 1 Floor Standing Mirror – It’s a large-scale mirror to cover a definite amount of room space. It stands alone on the ground with supportive frames. 2 Cheval Mirror – Sub-section of floor-standing mirrors to feature oval or rectangular shape. Wooden leg supports hold the glass for a complete view. 3 Hand Mirror – Mirror-brush set remained popular during the Victorian period. German & French ladies used hand-painted porcelain instead of silver. 4 Dressing Table Mirror – Despite the name, it primarily referred to small toilet mirrors. Designs included drawers to store ladies’ makeup accessories. 5 Standard Wall Mirror – Like the name, the mirror remains hung on the house walls. Antique mirrors were notably large to occupy the wall space.
What is a floor standing mirror?
Floor Standing Mirror – It’s a large-scale mirror to cover a definite amount of room space. It stands alone on the ground with supportive frames.
What is the most important clue to determine its overall antiquity?
Examining the Glass Closely – Mirror glass holds the most important clue to determine its overall antiquity. Modern sheet glasses are incredibly smooth with no surface bubbles or imperfections. Advanced manufacturing machinery pays maximum attention to eliminate the slightest flaw.
Do mirrors have silver coating?
Almost all modern mirrors in the market feature a standard silver coating on the opposite exterior. But the preference kept changing over the years to induce betterment in mirror reflection quality. In fact, the tradition started with poisonous mercury in the early 16 th century.
What were mirrors made of?
Centuries ago, the Romans and Greeks used polished metal disks to see their reflection. By the 1800s, mirrors were made by coating a piece of glass with metallic silver and were considered important decorative pieces. Frames could be ornately carved in wood or made of ivory, silver, or tortoiseshell. Knowing the age of a mirror will help determine its value and whether it is a genuine antique.
Is a mirror considered antique?
Items 50 years old or more are usually classified as antiques, although some experts contend that 100 years or older is better. You can also take a digital photo of it and send it to an antique appraiser for more information, or take it to an appraiser in person. If you have an old mirror with a broken frame or cloudy glass, you can have the glass resilvered to bring it back to its original condition.
How to tell if a mirror is antique?
Antique mirrors are commonly made of glass coated by silver, gold, or chrome. 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. 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. 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. 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.
When were mirrors invented?
Before the invention of mirrors, historians believe that people used reflections in pools of water to evaluate appearance. 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. Other ancient civilizations used polished metals to produce the same effect. 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.
Why do antique mirrors oxidize?
Because 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. 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. Any micro scratches or abrasions will also result in some amount of oxidization. Oxidization typically resembles dark blotches on the mirror, and is very rarely uniform. In some modern reproductions of antique mirrors, oxidization is applied to add to an authentic appearance.
What is a full length mirror called?
Cheval Mirrors. Some of most popular standing full-length mirrors are Parisian cheval mirrors. Cheval mirrors are distinguished by their four feet, hence the name “cheval” which means “horse” in French. They’re typically held up by two posts on either side of the mirror and often feature a swivel.
What does oxidization on mirrors mean?
In some modern reproductions of antique mirrors, oxidization is applied to add to an authentic appearance.
What is the difference between Gothic and Baroque mirrors?
Even so, Georgian decorations are primarily geometric and aim to produce symmetry. Gothic mirrors are typically even more intricate than Baroque style antique mirrors, though they generally do not feature any gilding. Instead, they use dark wood, often coming to a point at the top of the mirror.
What is a Rococo mirror?
True to the Rococo style, these framed mirrors are generally round and decorated using natural patterns. Ranging from intricate and ornate to minimalist and organic, their frames can be made from both wood and metal.
Why are antique mirrors valuable?
Framed antique mirrors are valuable because of its rarity, history and classic beauty. As an interior designer, you may want to suggest to clients the addition of an antique framed mirror to add a sense of timeless elegance to the room. However, it is useful to know even just the basics on how to determine whether a mirror is truly an antique ...
What does it mean when a mirror has a sparkly reflection?
Sparkly reflections. A mirror that has a reflection that is crystal-like and sparkly shows that it may have some mercury in it. The ancient method (which harks back to the 16 th century) involves melding a sheet of tin with some mercury spread over it onto the glass. This process causes the tin to stick to the glass but results in a sparkly reflection.
How to tell if antique wood is aging?
There will be signs of aging that shows in the discoloration of the gilded finish, as well as uneven corners, which may be caused by the expansion and contraction of the wood in response to the heat and cold over many, many years. As for the mirror, there will be some spots and discolorations, particularly at the lower area. Give the frame a careful sniff – newer framed mirrors will give the smell of newly processed wood.
How to find old mirrors?
Learn about old mirrors to acquire a wider knowledge of the types that tend to increase in value as they age. Get reference books on antique and vintage mirrors from your local library or bookstores, or subscribe to an antique-inspired magazine. You can also visit a nearby college or university to chat with a professor who has studied antiques, especially old mirrors, or browse flea markets and antique stores for mirrors similar to your old pieces to compare them. Use your computer to go online and gather information about your aged mirrors through informational websites and sellers offering comparable items.
How to find out how much an old mirror is worth?
How to Find Out How Much Old Mirrors Are Worth. Before you toss out an old mirror, give it a second look -- it might actually be valuable. You can inspect the mirror yourself to discover a variety of telltale signs, such as unusual embellishments, a signature by the craftsman and mint condition, that point toward a rare piece. ...
What does it mean to have an antique mirror?
An old mirror in mint condition indicates the piece is perfect, with no chips, cracks or breaks. Excellent condition means your aged mirror has minor flaws, such as a tiny chip on the frame that's been repaired or a hairline crack on the bottom of the frame that's hidden from view. If your mirror is in good condition, the piece has suffered some visible bruises and bumps during its lifetime.
How to determine if a mirror is worth it?
While determining its overall condition, examine the mirror for identifiable markings, such as the name and date of the manufacturer or the signature of a skilled artisan. Next, think about whether you remember seeing a mirror similar to your old mirror; if you can't conjure up any visual images, your piece is likely a rare find. Consider whether your mirror strikes you as particularly stunning and aesthetically pleasing, even though it's very old; a wow factor indicates the piece is just as desirable today as it was long ago and has never really gone out of style. If your old mirror meets most or all of these criteria, consult additional helpful resources to help you determine its value.
What does "excellent condition" mean on a mirror?
Excellent condition means your aged mirror has minor flaws, such as a tiny chip on the frame that's been repaired or a hairline crack on the bottom of the frame that's hidden from view. If your mirror is in good condition, the piece has suffered some visible bruises and bumps during its lifetime.
How to tell if a mirror is antique?
If you've ever looked at an antique mirror you know to be antique, you may have recognized this effect when seeing your reflection . On a true antique mirror in a frame, the oxidation is probably greatest near the bottom, as moisture from cleaning the mirror seeps down behind the frame and may soak the mirror backing at times. If the oxidation looks too even or uniform, the piece may not be antique. Look for scratches that seem they've been there for a long time as well, as they may indicate a true antique. These same qualities also apply to hand mirrors.
What is the coating on the back of an antique mirror?
The mirror-like coating on the back of an antique mirror, whether made with tin and mercury or a thin sheet of silver, tarnishes or oxidizes over time. This results in dark or blotchy spots visible through the glass when looking at the front of the mirror.
Why is mercury mirror a mirror?
Old mercury mirrors age to create a somewhat sparkly effect. If the mirror has a sparkly, crystalline appearance behind the glass , it likely is an antique.
What makes a sheet of glass a mirror?
The reflective coating used on the back of the glass is what makes a sheet of glass become a mirror. The materials used to create this effect have changed greatly over the years. Beginning in the 16th century, mercury was spread over a thin layer of tin. Glass was placed atop the mercury, and a reaction between mercury and tin caused the mirror-like substance to adhere to the glass. Old mercury mirrors age to create a somewhat sparkly effect. If the mirror has a sparkly, crystalline appearance behind the glass, it likely is an antique.
Where is the oxidation on a mirror?
On a true antique mirror in a frame, the oxidation is probably greatest near the bottom, as moisture from cleaning the mirror seeps down behind the frame and may soak the mirror backing at times. If the oxidation looks too even or uniform, the piece may not be antique.
Is sheet glass smooth?
Modern sheet glass is typically smooth and free of bubbling, thanks to manufacturing techniques that weren't known in centuries past. Look closely at the mirror glass for a slight waviness or random bubbles within the glass.
Is a mirror an antique?
Just because a mirror looks like an antique doesn't necessarily make it so. Reproduction mirrors may have the same shape or style as their true antique counterparts, or a new mirror may be housed in an old frame. Telltale signs of age, such as oxidation and scratches, help determine whether that prized mirror is a reproduction or true antique.
