How do I clean a dusty gilded frame?

Do not use water or liquid polishes on an antique gilded frame. The moisture dissolves the rabbit skin glue holding the gesso together, causing the gold leaf to lift and flake off. Instead, take a soft artist's brush and lightly dust the crevices. If the dirt is stubborn, leave it alone. A layer of dust is preferable to a stripped wooden carcase.

My mirror has these dark grey cloudy patches right in the middle of the glass, is there any way to polish them out?

Those cloudy spots sit behind the glass. They form when the original tin and mercury amalgam breaks down and separates from the back of the plate. You can't polish them away from the front. Removing the backboard to resilver the mirror strips away the history of the piece. Most buyers prefer antique wall mirrors with some atmospheric spotting.

Can I safely remove the old backboards?

Original pine backboards hold significant historical evidence. They often retain early labels or hand-forged nails. Keep them in place unless they're suffering from severe woodworm. If they must come off to secure a loose plate, save the original boards and fix them back over the new support.

I am looking at a large mahogany mirror to hang above a fireplace, but the glass looks clear without any speckles, is this normal?

Clear glass in an eighteenth-century frame generally indicates a later replacement plate. Victorian or Edwardian owners often discarded hazy original plates because they wanted newer cast glass. While this changes the character of the piece, it makes the item more practical for daily use. Some people want an unmarked reflection for dressing. Others want the dark look of early mercury glass. It depends on what you need from the antique.

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Antique wall mirrors consist of a reflective glass plate secured within a decorative frame of wood or gesso, originally designed to maximise scarce indoor light and serve wealthy households.

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