What is the wood backing on old mirrors?

Most antique table mirrors use softwoods for the backboard. Pine or deal are the most common choices. These boards were cut thin and left relatively rough on the inward-facing side. They simply slide into grooves or sit against rebates to protect the fragile silvered glass from behind.

My grandmother left me a wooden dressing mirror with little drawers but the glass keeps tilting forward and won't stay upright when I use it. Can this be fixed?

The problem is usually worn friction hinges. Over decades of daily use, the wooden posts and metal pivots wear down against each other. Sometimes tightening the small brass knobs on the side of the uprights will solve the issue. If the threads are stripped, a restorer can pack the joint or fit new wooden washers to restore the tension.

How to clean antique mirror glass?

Use a dry microfibre cloth for regular dusting. Avoid spraying liquids directly onto the plate. Any moisture that drips down into the frame can seep into the backboard. This degrades the historic silvering.

I was looking at an old tilting mirror on a stand and noticed the bevelled edge on the glass looks sort of wavy and uneven, is this normal?

Bevelled edges on early glass were ground by hand. Craftsmen achieved this profile using abrasive sand and water across a flat grinding stone. These hand-ground bevels are usually shallow and slightly irregular, following the shape of the wooden frame. The angle is rarely uniform if you run your finger along the transition line. This manual technique naturally produces a softer, undulating appearance. You will feel slight variations in the depth of the cut.

Home > Mirrors > Table Mirrors > Page 14

Antique Table Mirrors

← Page 14 of 17 →

Designed to sit atop a dressing chest, an antique table mirror consists of a framed reflective glass suspended between two upright supports on a wooden base.