Finding antiqued mirror tiles - your guide to finding the best antiqued mirror (2024)

FAQs

How do I know if my antique mirror is valuable? ›

Glass condition and antique mirror value

The glass should also have a slightly grey or yellow hue and may have some 'bubbles' on the surface. These imperfections are proof that the mirror is an antique and therefore, more likely to be valuable. In contrast, perfect glass means that the mirror is probably modern.

Look at the back. Looking at the back of an antique mirror could provide more clues as to its age and origin. You may find an engraved or stamped name or logo, which might help you to identify where it was made and by whom. Older mirrors tend to feature wooden rather than paper backing, so this is also worth checking.

Antiqued mirror — also called distressed mirror or smoky mirror refers to a cloudy, abstract mirror material.

Going by the list of notable periods above, the most valuable mirrors tend to be from the earlier periods such as Gothic, Baroque, and Rococo. Whereas Victorian mirrors are typically less valuable.

Mirror Desilvering

If you've ever seen an antique mirror, chances are, that mirror had dark streaks running through it or black spots along the edges. You may have even seen this on a newer mirror. What causes these black edges to form on mirrors? The short answer is that it is caused by an effect called “desilvering”.

Moisture breaks down the bond between the glass and the backing product causing the silver layer to chip off leaving the mirror with black spots or edges wherever the silver layer is damaged. This can also break down due to age, incorrect glass cleaners, or faulty manufacturing.

Types of Antique Mirror Styles

Georgian – features a restrained, symmetrical style with almost no carving. Neo-classical – popular in the 18th century, these mirrors feature rectangular shapes and medallion carvings, often with frames gilded with silver and gold.

Antique glass is typically thicker and heavier than modern glass to accommodate for the process of hand-blown glass production.

Thickness. Most distressed mirror glass is offered in 4mm or 6mm thickness, but most techniques allow for greater thicknesses, although the range of styles may be restricted.

How can you tell if a mirror has mercury in it? ›

Tip: Place a rod (pen or toothpick) on the mirror. If the point touching the mirror looks like it is directly “touching” its reflection, the glass layer is thin enough and the mirror is probably modern. On the other hand, if the point is separate from its reflection, then it is probably mercury (prior to 1835).

An antique mirror is any mirror made at least 100 years ago. Modern designers sometimes make mirrors that look antique because the look of old mirrors never goes out of style.

Vinegar is often used when creating a “vintage mirror” effect using a piece of clear glass and mirror spray paint. It will not remove a reflective mirror surface.

Foxing is a term used to describe silvering in antique mirrors that has deteriorated and turned misty, or appears to have tarnished in areas. Light foxing serves to demonstrate the pleasing patina of age.

Aranmula kannadi, Aranmula mirror, is a handmade metal-alloy mirror, made in Aranmula, a small town in Pathanamthitta, Kerala, India. Authentic & Traditional Aranmula Metal Mirror (Aranmula Kannadi) with hologram sticker on the back to validate its authenticity.

If you are looking for a high quality mirror for your home, you must consider that inexpensive mirrors will use lower quality and very thin coatings of reflective material compared to more expensive mirrors.

(a) Stand in front of mirror near it and look to your image. (i) If the image is erect and of same size and size of image does not change even if you move forward or backward, the mirror is a plane mirror. (ii) If the image is erect and diminished one, the mirror is a convex mirror.

What causes mirrors to get cloudy or foggy? A simple reason may be because of an accumulation of dirt and lack of maintenance. Another reason could be desilvering - mirrors are made of glass with a silver backing, and over time the mirror may begin to develop black spots.

“Back silvered” or “second-surface” is the standard way household mirrors were produced, meaning the light reaches the reflective layer after passing through the glass. A protective layer of paint is normally applied to protect the back side of the reflective surface.

Findings: The earliest known manufactured mirrors (approximately 8000 years old) have been found in Anatolia (south central modern-day Turkey). These were made from obsidian (volcanic glass), had a convex surface and remarkably good optical quality.

How do we identify the 3 types of mirrors given without touching them? ›

We can identify the three types of mirrors, that is, plane mirror, convex mirror and concave mirror by the properties of the images that they form when an object is kept near it.

Hint: There are mainly three types of mirrors: - Plane mirror, Concave Mirror, Convex Mirror.

If you're choosing a mirror for your wall, look around your space and try to get a feel for what it is missing. If you have a lot of rounded silhouettes in the room, maybe you need something rectangular. If you have a lot of streamlined pieces, picking something with more detail may create more interest and dimension.

That's a convex mirror, because it makes you look bigger than everything else around you. It's also important to know the difference between concave and convex lenses, which are often used for eye glasses and contact lenses.

A simple rule of thumb is the thicker the glass the better the quality reflection. In cheaper mirrors you could find 2 or 3mm mirror glass and sometimes even plastic. This becomes a problem when it distorts your reflection.

As a good rule of thumb, thicker mirrors will offer better quality. Ideally, you should choose a mirror that is at least ¼-inch thick. The ¼-inch thickness will be sturdier and not cause the reflection to distort. Even if the wall it's positioned on isn't completely flat, a thicker mirror won't misshape images.

Glass Quality: A high-quality mirror glass is free from inconsistencies that distort the reflection. Look for glass that has an even and uniform surface. Glass Thickness: Glass mirrors typically come in 1/4-, 1/8- or 3/16-inch thickness. For home décor, we recommend 1/4-inch-thick glass.

Mirrors made of glass backed with a reflective coating of tin amalgam first came into general use in the 16th century. Production ceased around 1900.

While it's always best to keep original glass and mirrors for your antique pieces, if there is some serious damage, or it really bothers you, you may want to replace the glass or mirrors.

First, let's understand what a diamond dust mirror is. No, it is not diamonds, but, it is silver. Basically the silver was melted and used to cover the backside of a piece of glass. When first used it did not coat evenly.

How can you tell if a mirror is mercury or silver? ›

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).

A gilded mirror refers to a mirror that has been treated with a decorative technique involving the application of a thin layer of gold leaf over its frame.

Polycarbonate mirrors are an even stronger choice than acrylic. They perform better outdoors than acrylic mirrors, as polycarbonate mirrors are completely weather-resistant and able to expand and contract without causing any permanent damage. Polycarbonate mirrors are also often used in public bathrooms.

The simplest and most common mirror coating is a thin layer of metal. A 100-nm layer of aluminum or silver makes an excellent reflector for the visible spectrum. Aluminum reflects about 90 percent of the light across the visible spectrum, while silver reflects about 95 percent.

Glass Cleaner Alternatives That Really Shine. First, as most of us know, Windex does an excellent job of cleaning windows and mirrors. That's because the main ingredient in the product is ammonia. Ammonia is a strong chemical with just enough abrasive properties to remove dirt and grime without scratching the glass.

You probably know using an all-purpose cleaner isn't the best idea, since it'll make the glass cloudy. But even mirror-specific products like Windex, while effective at cleaning, can leave your mirror full of streaks because they contain so much soap.

White vinegar, rubbing alcohol and pure water are best for cleaning antique mirrors if you prefer using homemade cleaning assistants. You should avoid using any store-bought or homemade abrasive and harsh cleaning agent as it can cause more harm than good to your old friend.

The Process

Silver mirror glass is simply a sheet of glass manufactured by coating the back surface with silver and copper. This process is called 'silvering'. First the mirror must be thoroughly polished and cleaned to eliminate imperfections. Next the back of the glass is sprayed with a thin layer of silver.

Antique Cheval mirrors were a larger design inspired by these smaller toilet mirrors, first produced in Paris the 19th century. This was due to larger plates of glass now being cast, leading to larger mirrors. 'Cheval' means horse in French, and the name given to the mirror refers to its four supporting legs.

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).

What is foxing on antique mirror? ›

Foxing is a term used to describe silvering in antique mirrors that has deteriorated and turned misty, or appears to have tarnished in areas. Light foxing serves to demonstrate the pleasing patina of age.

A simple rule of thumb is the thicker the glass the better the quality reflection. In cheaper mirrors you could find 2 or 3mm mirror glass and sometimes even plastic. This becomes a problem when it distorts your reflection.

Silver Coated Glass Mirrors

In 1835, Justus Von Leibig started using silver instead of mercury to coat the glass, thus creating the silvering process that we still use today.

Keep windows free of obstructions–never put anything in your windows that will block your view. When driving in traffic, glance in mirrors every 5 to 8 seconds. Check your mirrors any time prior to braking or slowing down. Check the mirror and blind spots prior to all turns and lane changes.