Commanding in proportion and size, this stunning giltwood mirror is of exceptional quality, styled after the innovative Rococo designs of the legendary English cabinetmaker Thomas Chippendale
A beautiful antique mirror can be one of the grandest pieces in a home. However, few people know the history of mirrors and how they came to be. Today, we find value in the frames of our wood and polished metal mirrors, but just 170 years ago, it was the mirror glass itself that was most precious. So, follow along to learn more about the history of mirrors.
England's King Henry VIII and France's Francis I were both avid collectors of the earliest mirrors. If there was anything fit for a king to collect it was the mirror. While we may take it for granted today, the mirror was once literally worth its weight in gold and only the most affluent could even hope to own even a very small example. A medium-sized Venetian glass mirror was comparable in price to that of a naval ship or an aristocrat's country home! Some French nobles were even known to sell off their country estates just to purchase a single silver mirror, polished bronze mirror, or gold mirror.
Mirror glass was a particular luxury during the latter 17th century, for it was in short supply and, at the time, only produced and exported from Italy. A large example such as this incredibly rare William and Mary mirror would have belonged to a family of great wealth and prestige
While our ancient ancestors fashioned the earliest crude mirrors from polished stone as early as 4000 B.C., it wasn't until the First Century that the Romans introduced a very rudimentary mirror made of ancient glass. The early Church viewed the mirror as a symbol of sin and vanity and it was forbidden for priests to own a mirror. Pope John XII declared "The Devil can conceal himself in a phial or a mirror." Devil, or no devil, glass mirrors all but disappeared during the early Middle Ages. By the 14th century, the invention of glassblowing techniques in Europe refueled the interest in manufacturing mirrors, which would later lead to the modern mirror we know today.
New Techniques Bring Great Advances
Glass blowing revolutionized mirror production and by the 16th century, it was the Venetians who would turn their attention to mirrors, inventing a method for making a flat glass mirror. Hand-blown Venetian mirrors were a very serious business and the Venetian glassmakers fiercely guarded their mirror production techniques. Any Venetian craftsman who dared breach that secrecy faced imprisonment and even execution.
The most talented glassmakers were sent to the small Venetian Island of Murano where they were kept isolated from the rest of the world to hone their skills in making Murano glass mirrors. Europe's monarchs, desperate to get in on the action, avidly engaged in spying and espionage in an attempt to uncover these closely held secrets regarding Murano glass techniques.
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Mirror-making in Murano was a true craft. An outstanding Venetian beveled glass mirror detailed with reverse etching along the border. An art form perfected on the island of Murano over 1000 years ago, Venetian glass works such as this large mirror have adorned opulent European palaces and estates for centuries
As if their isolation were not enough, these artisans of mirror making were also prisoners of a very dangerous craft. Injuries, many fatal, were commonplace as workers handled molten glass and worked near extremely hot and volatile furnaces when making these early mirrors in history. Reflective backings were made of mercury. The mercury mirror that was produced during this time created toxic fumes which eventually sickened and killed many workers.
So why risk so many lives for the sake of vanity? The mirror's value was not just about vanity. Small mirrors were used throughout Europe to code and decode messages, a system devised by Leonardo DaVinci who wrote in mirror code. Even the scriptures were coded in mirror reflection. During the 30 Years War, mirrors were used to create massive reflections that would blind the enemy on the opposing field. The periscope was also invented during this period, employing a system of angled mirrors that made spying much more discreet.
In 1687 three Murano glassmakers were bribed and brought secretly to France where they exposed the Venetian's glass mirror-making secrets. The mirror-making monopoly was then broken. The French went on to improve upon those techniques and soon invented a new method for casting flat glass in larger sheets to form a reflective surface.
This new technique, though difficult and dangerous, allowed for much larger sheets of flat glass, and ushered in a new age of decorating with mirrors. Just a few years after this discovery, work began on the famed Hall of Mirrors in the Palace of Versailles. This magnificent room featured 306 massive mirrors...a feat never seen before in the history of mankind! Because of these glass surface mirrors, this room became the most famous interior in the world from the 16th century and beyond.
This Napoleon III Giltwood Mirror is an exceptional example of Second Empire grandeur. Circa 1870
A New Age for Mirrors
Cabinetmakers such as Thomas Chippendale and John Linnell imported French glass to satisfy the tastes of their wealthy English clientele. Chippendale furniture and other furniture types alike added character to many homes. To be certain, mirrors continued to be incredibly costly, since their manufacture proved as dangerous and delicate as ever. Some relief came in 1835 when a German invented a new method of backing sheets of glass with real silver, forever replacing the toxic mirror mercury.
As techniques varied, so did the craft of framing decorative mirrors. Because the old mirror was so incredibly expensive, it only made sense to craft frames befitting this precious glass. Even the most magnificent mirror frame would cost only a fraction of the cost of the actual mirror, so patrons commissioned the most magnificent frames crafted of every material imaginable. The frame makers were typically highly skilled artisans who specialized in crafting frames of incredible complexity and beauty. It is ironic that today, it is the frame where most of the value of a fine mirror lies.
Like furniture makers, these mirror frame craftsmen followed the fashionable trends of the day. Mirrors became focal pieces in fine interiors and there was no shortage of frame styles to meet the demand. And, because mirror glass was still so expensive, it was very common for artisans to rework and embellish existing frames to accommodate changing styles. Though a broken mirror was considered bad luck, it was often financially more prudent to rework a frame to accommodate a valuable cracked pane than to replace the mirror glass itself.
Frames can be found in any number of materials, but the gilded frame was often a favorite choice for many reasons. Like the mirror itself, gold was very costly and precious, and so seemed only fitting to be used as the material to embellish the frame of a very expensive mirror. And, like the mirror, gold was highly reflective, furthering the mirror's ability to reflect light in an interior.
Frames crafted of highly polished mahogany or those embellished with intricate inlays or Boulle work also found favor in the interiors of Europe's finest homes. Veneered frames and those boasting precious gems or glass mosaics were popular as well. Indeed, the frame maker's palette was only limited by his imagination, as well as his patron's pocketbook.
A significant and stately pair of George II period giltwood mirrors of superb condition and quality
Choosing the Right Mirror
When selecting your mirror, ask if there have been any extensive restorations. Many frames, particularly those hailing from the late 18th century and early 19th century in the neoclassical style boasted complex floral swags and garlands that over the years were easily damaged. Damage of this sort can be repaired, but be wary of examples where the repaired areas are larger than the original, intact areas. Also, look for consistency in the overall patina of the frame. Splotchy patches or extensive discoloration may indicate a poor restoration job.
To be certain, an antique mirror glass should not be perfect. Silvering is often worn, and small chips may be present. While there are ways to re-silver an original glass, remember that blemishes or "diamond dusting" in a mirror is highly desirable. Collectors consider these "beauty marks" of the original glass a testament to the original glassmaker's art. If you are using your mirror on your dressing table to apply makeup or in a powder room, you may consider re-silvering it . Otherwise, enjoy the charm and rich patina of your antique mirror glass.
If you’re fascinated by glass antiques, learn more about antique chandeliers and how they can add beauty and elegance to your home’s decor.
When choosing a mirror for any room in your interior, keep in mind that mirrors give space...they don't take up space. Small rooms are instantly larger when a mirror is placed in them. Pier mirrors were often placed between windows where the wall was dark to add instant light and air. So, don't assume that your small room will need a small mirror; just the opposite may be true. You will also want to consider how the mirror's frame will blend with your interior before making a selection. Learn more about decorating your space with mirrors in our guide.
In our modern age of mass production, it is easy to forget that the things we take for granted, such as the mirror, were once considered extremely precious. Even so, if you have a keen eye for beauty, you will readily recognize the allure of fine antique mirrors. It may be true that the value of the actual glass has taken a back seat to the frame of a mirror, but a true collector or connoisseur will certainly appreciate both of their histories. While some of the earliest mirrors come from ancient times, they have adapted throughout the years to become the decorative glass surface we know today.
While some of the earliest manufactured mirrors in history come from ancient times, they have adapted throughout the years to become the decorative glass surface we know today.
Are you looking for a mirror that is a reflection of your style? Browse our entire fine antique collection today and find a wide selection of decorative antique mirrors for your home. Or if you’re intrigued by the art of glass-making, discover a piece from our antique glass collection.
