Can the cloudy spots be fixed?

Resilvering is the only way to remove foxing. A specialist strips the old backing and applies a new chemical silver layer. Most dealers advise leaving the spots alone. Newly silvered glass often looks bright and out of place in an aged wooden frame.

My grandmothers old folding mirror has a broken side panel that is just dangling on the metal hinge, is it possible to put new glass in just one side?

Replacing a single piece of glass is straightforward for a glazier. They cut a new mirror plate to match the dimensions of the broken panel. The challenge lies in matching the bevel and the reflection. Modern glass reflects light differently than old mercury or early silver nitrate glass. The new panel will look noticeably newer than the original centre glass. Some buyers prefer to replace all three panels at once to keep the look consistent.

How to clean a triptych mirror?

Spray cleaner onto a cloth rather than the mirror itself. Liquid runs down the pane and pools at the base. Moisture behind the frame rots the silvering. Dry dusting is safer.

There is a leather backing on the folding mirror I found in a junk shop but it smells a bit musty, how should I deal with the back?

Musty odours usually mean the backboard absorbed dampness during storage. Airing the mirror out in a dry room for several weeks often resolves mild cases. If the leather itself feels dry, a sparing application of neutral leather cream stops it flaking. Avoid using saddle soap on old hide bindings.

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Antique Triptych Mirrors

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Antique triptych mirrors feature a central viewing glass flanked by two hinged side panels, allowing a person to see the sides and back of their head while sitting at a dressing table.