She writes travel and budgeting tips and destination guides for USA Today, Travelocity and ForRent, among others. Look closely at the mirror glass for a slight waviness or random bubbles within the glass. Sep 9, 2012 - Explore Christine Proudlock's board "Antique Hand Held Mirrors", followed by 770 people on Pinterest. ... estate sales, and antique stores. Basic Solutions Hand Mirrors with Plastic Handles, 10.5x5.25 in. If you've ever looked at an antique mirror you know to be antique, you may have recognized this effect when seeing your reflection. Start with the phrase "hand mirror" and narrow the field using "silver," "sterling," "repoussé," "Art Nouveau," or "Victorian." 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. Country Living participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. Look for scratches that seem they've been there for a long time as well, as they may indicate a true antique. The History of Mirrors. The Design: These repoussé (high relief) flowers were clearly hammered and detailed by hand — an undeniable plus. Although not entirely common, seek a maker's tag or mark on the back of the mirror or frame, as this helps pinpoint the mirror's age. Many vintage furniture buyers opt for quality reproductions that are more affordable, and either option is fine providing that you research your subject well when identifying antique furniture. Bought for $115 on eBay, this Wallace mirror deserved its price. Ancient Egyptians, Mesopotamians, and Chinese forged mirrors out of metals like tin, silver, bronze, and copper. Once you have taken these three aspects into account, check to see if you can find a manufacturer's mark. Learn more about hallmarks: Auctioneer Sebastian Clarke relies on the free search site 925-1000.com to help identify silver markings. Antique mirrors typically feature a wood rather than a paper backing. Whereas Depression glass was produced with molds (and thus are more raised in appearance), elegant glass designs were etched and have a more recessed look. Favorite Add to French Ivory Bakelite Vanity Oval Hand Mirror with Beveled Glass RustyLantern. Or look for the best-known makers: Tiffany, Wallace, Gorham, and Unger. 2. 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. On handmade furniture, rungs, slats, spindles, rockers, and other small-diameter components are not uniform. Examine the construction to ensure all nails, screws, and hangers are true to the period. OLD FRENCH SEVRES? Start with the phrase "hand mirror" and narrow the field using "silver," "sterling," "repoussé," "Art Nouveau," or "Victorian." Identifying Antique Mirrors 13th Apr 2017 Framed antique mirrors are valuable because of its rarity, history and classic beauty. Hand-forged fasteners will look extremely crude and irregular compared to modern, machine-made versions. Examine the back of the mirror for any identifying information about the production date or manufacturer. Posted on December 13, 2020 | December 13, 2020 | Old mercury mirrors age to create a somewhat sparkly effect. Handheld plastic mirrors by Basic Solutions™ are an essential cosmetic tool for every home, salon, barber shop, and spa! The glass is often an indicator of a mirror's age. Choosing the right mirror. Email: caroldubilo@gmail.com for quickest reply or by chance at 413-301-5092, please no calls after 7:00 p.m. Eastern time, thank you. But knowing the history of antique mirrors can be helpful in dating your antique mirrors or at least dating the mirrors you are considering for purchase. Vintage hand mirror. Chinese and Spanish influence. and come assorted among black, blue, and pink. These beautiful sets are eagerly snapped up by collectors everywhere. Carefully studying the frame also helps determine whether the mirror as a whole is new or old. From shop SpareOomVintage. The convex mirror, sometimes called a bull's-eye mirror, first became popular in Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries. Colorful Hand Fan reflects in Vintage Oval Desk Mirror with white frame. An Egyptian.900 silver hand mirror, post 1946 marks with lotus punch, the oval mirror with an ornate pressed back with radiating floral motifs, a floral border and a cast bird handle, hallmarked to the back … 4.5 out of 5 stars (477) 477 reviews $ 16.00. The Monogram: Inscriptions do reduce value — not every collector wants another person's initials on her antiques — but not significantly. Or look for the best-known makers: Tiffany, Wallace, Gorham, and Unger. This results in dark or blotchy spots visible through the glass when looking at the front of the mirror. Cover work surface in thick plastic or a thick layer of newspaper to protect it … Vintage hand mirrors have been made for many years, and versions that date back to the 19th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 21st Century. It reflects the taste and attitude of every period in history. Check your hair and makeup at home or on the go. Carefully remove the mirror from the frame and examine the surface of the glass closely. The Condition: With unblemished surfaces and no dents or scratches, this piece is considered pristine. A single piece of antique furniture is more than a collection of nails, boards, and wood stain. They measure 10.5x5.25-in. 10 Houseplants That Can Survive the Darkest Corner, 93 Best Easy Low-Carb Recipes With Tons of Flavor, Ben & Erin Napier Talk 'Home Town' Season 5. Glass was placed atop the mercury, and a reaction between mercury and tin caused the mirror-like substance to adhere to the glass. Our mirrors are inspired by a bygone age, but they are lovingly crafted with 21st century materials and techniques. Only 3 available and it's in 5 people's carts. 5 out of 5 stars (187) 187 reviews $ 34.08. Determining the age of antiques is half the fun! Vintage hand mirror, porcelain backed mirror, brass filigree hand mirror, vintage vanity mirror, unique vintage gifts for her SpareOomVintage. Beginning in the 16th century, mercury was spread over a thin layer of tin. Are there any markings, stickers, or engraved signatures on the piece? It helps if there is a mark identifying a certain Murano company or a signature of the master glass-maker on the item, and some Murano Glass companies do label, stamp or sign their work in some way. An antique is typically placed into one of three categories, based on condition. An old mirror in mint condition indicates the piece is perfect, with no chips, cracks or breaks. Beware of people selling mirrors and not using a specialist courier as this will inevitably end in broken glass. The mirrors are crafted from mirror, wood, glass, bamboo, oak, metal, maple and steel. Isolated on white. Examine these parts carefully; slight differences in size or shape are not always easy to spot. Clean it with silver polish and warm, soapy water, but never submerge a mirror. BEAUTIFUL HAND PAINTED "PLAYFUL CHERUBS" VANITY, HAND MIRROR Black vintage hand mirror, lipstick and nail polish on white background. Antique mirrors were first known by the name ‘looking glasses’ and they were first produced in Murano and silvered in Venice as early as the 16th Century. Look for signs of wear, such as chipped or worn details on a carved frame. New Antique Gold Hand Held Mirrors, Party & Princess Handheld Mirrors, Gold Mirrors, Beauty and The Beast CustomappliancesbyJ. The Hallmark: This one includes the maker's name, R. Wallace & Sons, and its patent date of 1900, along with the sterling stamp. This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. Check the back of the mirror to see how it's attached to the frame; if you see modern Phillips-head screws, this indicates either the mirror is fairly new, or the screws have been replaced. Learn 10 specific steps to establishing an accurate age for your antique furniture. Identifying what the black material is can make a big difference in determining when it was made and how much it could be worth. Country Living editors select each product featured. If the mirror has a sparkly, crystalline appearance behind the glass, it likely is an antique. Most valuable mirrors date to 1850 or earlier, but a very elaborate design, even from 1900, is still more valuable than less ornate designs. The reflective coating used on the back of the glass is what makes a sheet of glass become a mirror. Our antique and vintage mirror collection includes gold, dark wood tone, medium wood tone, black, light wood tone, white, yellow and brown colors. Free shipping on many items | Browse your favorite brands | affordable prices. See more ideas about hand mirror, antiques, mirror. Hand mirrors were an important part of a dresser set. Antique furnishings can tell a story one that may only exist in the imagination of the lucky person acquiring the piece. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io, The CL Fair is Rescheduled for September 2021, Things From the ‘70s That Could Make You Rich, 55 Things in Your Attic That Are Worth a Lot, An Update For Our Country Living Fair Community, These Items Could be Worth So Much Money Today, 39 Things in Your Basement to Never Throw Away, You Need This Grinch Ceramic Christmas Village, The 2019 White House Christmas Ornament Is Here. Although mirrors hark back to the 3rd century BC, it was during the 1600s that Murano glass makers perfected the art of blown glass mirrors, doing away with polished metal or stone mirrors. Rau Antiques: Mirror, Mirror on the Wall: The History of the Mirror, Atelier Richard Both: Antique Mirrored Glass Part II, How to Find Out How Much Old Mirrors Are Worth, How to Identify Antique Hand-Painted Lamps. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Find 51 antique and vintage vintage hand mirrors at 1stDibs now, or shop our selection of 4 modern versions for a more contemporary example of this long-cherished furniture. If the oxidation looks too even or uniform, the piece may not be antique. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Look for identifying marks, labels, or signatures. If you are looking for an original historic piece please see our antique Victorian mirrors. Telltale signs of age, such as oxidation and scratches, help determine whether that prized mirror is a reproduction or true antique. Kathy Adams is an award-winning journalist and freelance writer who traveled the world handling numerous duties for music artists. And don't overpolish: A little tarnish helps define details. 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. As with other styles of vintage glassware, value is determined by assessing the pattern, color, age, and object type. This can break down the resin filling and cloud the glass. There is no exact science where antique furniture is concerned; you simply make an educated decision based on what is most important to you. Search online auction sites: Picture a Victorian boudoir and you probably imagine an antique brush and mirror set somewhere in the room. identifying antique hand mirrors. Then a mirror was nothing more than a round piece of metal that was slightly convex and polished to reflect light. Refurbish your find: Exact symmetry is another sign that the piece was machine-made. The materials used to create this effect have changed greatly over the years. The Neck: This mirror has no solder marks or split seams to indicate a (value decreasing) repair. 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. Get the best deals on Vintage Hand Mirror when you shop the largest online selection at eBay.com. Protect Work Surface. My favorite antique children's pieces are the porcelain backed hand mirrors and brushes from the mid to late 1800's. Antique mirrors have thin, wavy glass while newer mirrors have thicker glass and less wave. How to Identify Brand of Dining Room Furniture, How to Identify the Embossed Symbols on a Glass Jar, How to Identify Antique Glassware Markings, Historic Camden County: Fabulous Finds and Outrageous Fakes, M.S. Some were made of a brittle alloy of copper and tin known as “speculum metal,” which has a highly reflective surface. These same qualities also apply to hand mirrors. Another key to identifying old mirrors is the glass. If the frame itself looks brand new, as if it has no dust or discoloration in any of the details, there's a chance it is not an antique. Vintage Vanity Hand Mirrors, Brushes, Sets Antique Porcelain Backed, Victorian Celluloid, Enameled, Wedgewood Jasperware, 1800's Children's, Miniature, Hand Painted, Purse Mirrors, Sterling & more . Jewelry mirrors time, culture, and societal values. The style was called regency in England and named empire in France, but the design of the mirrors and frames was very similar. 6 Secrets to Creating a Beautiful Breakfast Nook, Etsy Finds: 5 Handmade Lamps and Chandeliers. Modern sheet glass is typically smooth and free of bubbling, thanks to manufacturing techniques that weren't known in centuries past. Just because a mirror looks like an antique doesn't necessarily make it so. The Handle: Resin filling can break down, causing a rattle (bad); this mirror doesn't make a sound (good). Point by point, here's why. 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