What is the wire on the back for?

It holds the frame safely on a wall hook. Most old frames have replacement wire because original cords perish. Always check the metal rings screwed into the wood. If they're loose, you risk the heavy frame dropping.

My grandmother left me a large framed glass and it has this cloudy grey mist right across the middle that makes it hard to use, so can I just wipe it off?

That cloudy mist is degradation in the silvered backing. You can't wipe it off because it sits behind the glass. The chemical layer breaks down as air seeps in behind the backboards. Many buyers prefer this aged look. Replacing the plate solves the issue. Keeping the original glass retains the character of the piece.

Can I hang it above a working fireplace?

Heat affects the wooden frame and the glass backing. Sudden temperature changes make old timber expand and contract. This movement loosens glued joints. It also sheds flakes of gilding onto the mantelpiece.

I picked up a wooden frame at a local market last weekend but it seems to have a few small holes bored into the backboards, should I be worried about them spreading?

Those small holes suggest historic woodworm. It turns up often in old pine backboards. Check for pale dust dropping from the holes when you tap the wood. That signals active insects. If the holes are dark and dusty, the bugs are gone. Treat the wood if you feel unsure.

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Neoclassical Oval Mirrors

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Antique oval mirrors are framed reflective surfaces typically hung on walls or mounted on stands. They were used in domestic interiors for personal grooming and to increase the ambient light in a room.