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What are some of the design advantages to collecting antique mirrors?
Antique mirrors, like antique furniture, acquire that elusive quality called patina-a softened, mellow look that bespeaks times past, lives lived, a connection of past to present. We consider them the jewelry of a room, "art" with advantage. They are capable of enlarging a space or brightening a dark area, of reflecting a chandelier, candelabra or spectacular view, or reassuring you that you are ready to face the world. The superlative craftsmanship and diverse styles of antique mirrors allow you to make any desired statement-classic, bold, romantic, handsome.
What are the causes of spots on antique mirrors?
To turn a sheet of glass into a mirror, the glass must be silvered. A protective coat is then applied on the back to protect the silvering. The process of silvering has changed over the centuries; therefore, the aging process reveals itself differently. Spots occur when something small (usually bug excrement!) has stuck to the back of the mirror plate-over time, a chemical process occurs which thins the silvering. Mottling occurs when the silvering thins due to age or climatic stress and you see through the silvering to the protective back coating. Streaking (usually early 20th c. pieces) occurs because the protective back coating was painted on with a brush (instead of poured on)-as the silver thins, the brush strokes are revealed.
What is the proper way to clean an antique mirror?
Gently brushing the frame with a soft paintbrush will keep it free of dust. Cloth and feather dusters tend to catch and pull ornamentation. If any ornamentation looks loose or falls off, stop and assess the condition of the frame before dusting. A little dust won't destroy the beauty, value or integrity of the piece! We use Windex to clean the glass-the important thing is to keep the cleaner from dripping down to the bottom of the glass. It collects on the frame and then affects the silvering of the mirror. The resultant mottling often seen at the bottom of antique mirrors is called "housekeeper's mark".
How can you tell how old an antique mirror is and where it may be from?
The back of a mirror will tell you more about its age than the front. If you believe the piece to be 18th or 19th c., think how dirty and aged the back (which has never been dusted or cared for) should look. Pre 20th c. mirrors would have had wooden backs. The original wooden backing might be missing for some reason but the nail holes would be there. Hanging mechanisms change from decade to decade. Your mirror may have modern mechanisms, but there should be evidence that original hangers had been removed. If the back of the mirror has been painted, you can be assured that someone is hiding something-lack of age? The front of the frame should show evidence of decades of cleaning. The finish would be irregular in color. Seams would be pulling as the wood frame dries. The bottom should show wear. These are the simplest things to check.
Because styles have been copied from century to century, country to country, it is very difficult to determine country of origin. For example, the classic Louis Philippe style mirror was made more often in Italy than it was in France. One rule of thumb--older European frames tend to have a mitered joint with a spline running through it for strength. American frames usually have either mitered or lap joints (no spline).
Are there special considerations for safely hanging and/or displaying an antique mirror?
Never trust the original hanging mechanisms! On the mirror, check to be sure that the screw(s) is embedded in viable wood-no wobbling or play. The wire should be appropriately thick and unfrayed. My favorite hangers are the metal "mirror hangers" at the hardware store. They have a D-end attached to a metal strap that is pre-drilled for one to four screws (depending on weight of mirror). I attach them on an angle, leaning in toward each other. Loop the wire two times through the end before twisting the excess (2 to 6 inches) tightly around the hanging wire. On the wall, small to medium mirrors can be hung by one or two picture hangers (those that the nail goes through the hook on an angle into the wall). If your mirror is large, say over four feet, it might be prudent to hire a professional installer. Do not lean a mirror on a mantel or piece of furniture unless you apply some non-skid material to the bottom of the frame. Even then, vibration might cause the mirror to slide.
Direct sunlight and high humidity accelerate the deterioration of the silvering and plays havoc with the wood of the frame. If you've got a piece that is aged to perfection already, you might want to avoid direct sunlight and bathrooms.
Do you have design tips on good ways to display an antique mirror?
Donna Karan uses antique mirrors in non-traditional ways-leaning them up against corners, placing furniture and plants in front of them, having mirrors reflected in mirrors playing them off against each other. She has inspired us to dare to be different. People often tell us that their room is too small for such a large mirror. It is exactly those people who need a large mirror in the room! If you have an awkward space to fill, consider a collection of small, antique mirrors that can conform to the space rather than enduring a frustrating search for an impossible piece. If you have your grandmother's mirror under the bed or in the attic, drag it out and dust it off. If it's not to your taste, hang it in an unexpected location. You'll grow to love it, I promise.
Do you recommend having an antique mirror resilvered?
It takes a long time for a mirror to become spotted, mottled. The softened reflection of an antique looking glass cannot be reproduced. You'll never look so good! These are not blemishes-they are evidence of time. They are the pedigree of an antique mirror. Why would you want to have it resilvered?
If, indeed, you choose to resilver, let me explain the process. Caustic chemicals are used to strip the glass of the old backing and silvering. The already aged and pitted glass becomes even more pitted. When the new silver is poured over the glass, small scratches and irregularities that were innocuous before become magnified. The new silvering is so intense, so new, that when you reinstall it in your mellowed frame, the contrast will be startling. It might be better to put the old mirror plate under a bed, install new glass in your frame and change it back when you're ready for it or if you decide to sell the piece.
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