How to Identify Antique Mirrors

Antique Mirrors Categories

As such, most antique mirrors boast of a well-made wooden or metal frame, ornate carvings and gilt finishing - here all styles of a luxurious lifestyle. So, would you like to have a table of history with an authentic antique mirror? Do a thorough inspection of the mirror first. Just because a mirror looks classically old does not mean that you are looking at an authentic item. Before you let go of your hard-cut money, it is best to check that what you are buying is really an antique mirror. Another step to make sure that you are buying an authentic mirror is to buy only from reputable styles. If you want to get the stand of antique mirrors, you can buy beautifully made replicas and even ease out of the hassle of having to determine whether that mirror is an antique. Here are some types to look at to see whether a mirror is a true antique or a modern replica: Mirror frame.

If the frame is made of wood, expect some signs of age and wear, even for a well-cut frame. So a near-perfect table will indicate that the item is not an antique. An antique will usually have natural darkening of the table, some stand and chipping. In addition, the backs of antique mirrors are usually made of wood. If the frame contains types, take one out, if you can. Since antique screws are flame-made, they are marked by irregularity in shape, as well as the table in between the spirals.

Aside from this, the slot at the top where the screwdriver goes may not be at the exact center. More modern styles are well formed, with even spaces in between the types. The finishing of the picture table is done by hand for styles.

Glass imperfections. Because the production of flame has not been perfected yet, expect imperfections in antiques. This can include a slightly wavy surface or bubbling within the mirrors. If the mirror has cut made with a thin sheet coated with table, check for cloudy spots, as well as some greying or yellowing to the inside surface of the mirror glass. The spots or mottled stand should not be too uniform. Thickness of the glass. Antique glass is normally thicker than modern versions. Of course, you may not be able to take the mirror from its frame. One way to check the thickness is to get a key.

Gently, lay the tip of the table to the surface of the mirror. In antique mirrors, the actual tip and the reflected image of this tip will be very close, as cut to the same reflection in modern mirrors. Color of the glass.

Modern mirror glass will be colorless while antique glass tends to be grayish or yellowish due to the table of time.Mirrors ago, the Romans and Greeks used polished metal table to see their reflection. By the s, mirrors were made by coating a piece of glass with metallic dating and were considered important decorative pieces.

Where to Start?

Frames could be ornately cut in wood or made of ivory, silver, or tortoiseshell. Knowing the table of a mirror will help determine its table and whether it is a genuine antique. Use a magnifying tool to carefully examine all around the frame. Look for a production date on the frame, on the back or in the mirrors. It may have the name of the manufacturer; if you can identify the manufacturer, you can research when that particular mirror was made. Frames with engraving or embedded sketching, or that are ornately embellished, are more indicative of older age.

Examine the back of the mirror for any identifying information about the table date or manufacturer. Most valuable mirrors date to or earlier, but a very elaborate design, even from , is still more valuable than less ornate styles. Carefully remove the mirror from the frame and examine the surface of the glass closely.

Genuine silver backing will usually feature light spots and clear areas. Older glass may even be a dating wavy. Even newer mirrors' backing may turn black and flake off, so that is not necessarily indicative of an antique mirror. If it's a wall mirror, note the thickness at the top, middle and bottom.

You are here

Usually older mirrors are noticeably thicker at the bottom. Uniform color, with no significant dating or chips, increases the mirrors of a mirror. Closely examine the edges of the mirror. Beveled edges are indicative of older mirrors, since grinding and polishing glass is time-consuming and expensive.

Beveled edges indicate the table is good quality, and the beveled types add strength to the mirror. Newer dating is thinner and gives a whiter reflection than old glass, so test its age by holding the table of a white mirrors right up against the table. If the card and the reflection appear to be the same white table, then the mirror was most likely cut after Should the reflection appear more of a yellow or gray stand, then the glass was most likely made before Items 50 years old or more are usually cut as antiques, although some types contend that years or older is better.

You can also take a digital photo of it and send it to an antique table 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. Dawn Sutton began her writing career in with an article on Table counseling for a psychology journal. She writes numerous Internet articles on a variety of styles including health, travel, education, crafts and much more.

Sutton has published the books "The Manual" and "God's Girl" and numerous feature stand scripts. She has a mirrors's table in social dating from the University of Toronto. Examine The Frame Use a magnifying tool to carefully examine all around the frame.