Can I clean the gold?

Dust it lightly with a soft brush. Never use a damp cloth or liquid cleaners on an antique giltwood mirror. Water gilding dissolves instantly when it gets wet. If the dirt is heavy, leave it alone. A layer of historic dust is better than stripping the gold leaf back to the bare wood.

My husband was wondering if the dark spots all over the glass mean the mirror is broken and if we need to get it fixed?

Those dark spots are natural deterioration of the original mercury silvering. The tin amalgam slowly oxidises over the decades. This creates a cloudy effect across the plate. Most collectors prefer to keep the original glass. It provides a soft reflection that suits the period frame. Replacing it with modern glass often makes the whole piece look harsh.

How heavy are they usually?

Pine frames are surprisingly light. The weight comes mostly from the glass plate and the thick backboards. Always use heavy-duty wall fixings. A large pier glass needs substantial support, requiring specialized brackets rather than a simple picture wire.

We have this big wall above our fireplace and I wanted to know if it is safe to hang an old mirror right above a working fire?

Hanging them above a heat source carries risks. Sudden temperature changes can dry out the pine carcase. This causes the wood to shrink and the gesso layer to crack. Smoke and soot will also settle on the gold leaf. Since you cannot wash water gilding, that soot becomes a permanent addition to the surface. If you use the fireplace regularly, an overmantel mirror needs to sit high enough to avoid the direct blast of hot air.

Home > Mirrors > Giltwood Mirrors > Page 9

Neoclassical Giltwood Mirrors

← Page 9 of 9 →

Carved wooden frames finished with gold leaf, antique giltwood mirrors were designed to reflect candlelight and demonstrate wealth in grand drawing rooms.