Can I replace the cloudy glass in the frame?

You can ask a glazier to cut a new piece of glass to fit the frame. They remove the wooden backboard and slot a modern silvered plate into the rebate. Most buyers prefer to keep the original mercury glass. The dark spots and cloudy patches belong to the history of the piece.

My grandmother left me a dark wooden mirror with three little drawers at the bottom and I am wondering how to clean the wood safely without damaging it?

Start with a dry microfibre cloth to wipe away surface dust from the timber. If the wood has sticky marks, wipe it gently with a damp cloth and dry it immediately. Avoid modern spray polishes that contain silicon. These products leave a residue that dulls the natural patina of the wood over time. Feed the timber once a year with a good quality beeswax. Apply a thin coat, leave it to dry for twenty minutes, and buff it to a soft shine.

Why does the mirror keep tipping forwards?

The brass friction hinges holding the glass to the upright standards have worn loose. The weight of the plate pulls the frame down. You can sometimes tighten the screws on the wooden finials to increase the friction. A restorer can fit thin brass washers to grip the pivot again.

The little handles on the base drawers have fallen off and got lost in a house move, so where do people find the right sized replacements to match?

Specialist hardware dealers sell turned bone, wood or brass knobs made for antique furniture. You need to measure the diameter of the existing hole in the drawer front before ordering. Try to match the style of the replacements to the age of the antique vanity mirror. Simple turned brass or bone knobs suit most Georgian and Victorian base tiers well.

Home > Mirrors > Vanity Mirrors > Page 20

Antique Vanity Mirrors

← Page 20 of 26 →

Designed to sit on a dressing table, an antique vanity mirror features a framed glass swinging between two upright supports. These freestanding pieces allowed people to adjust the angle for personal grooming while catching the available light in a bedroom.