What is a fret mirror?

A fret mirror is an 18th-century wall glass defined by its flat, intricately pierced wooden frame. Cabinetmakers used scrollwork and shaped outlines to create lightweight decorative pieces. These mirrors often featured gilded bird motifs at the top crest and were designed for principal rooms.

How do I spot mercury glass?

Mercury glass displays a characteristic dark, mottled speckling across the reflective surface, known as foxing. This occurs as the old amalgam backing degrades naturally over centuries. Original plates offer a softer, deeper reflection than modern mirror glass replacements.

Where were toilet mirrors used?

Toilet mirrors sat upon dressing tables, chests, or washstands in bedrooms and dressing rooms. Their small drawers provided secure storage for small personal items. Gentlemen and ladies utilised them daily for shaving and arranging wigs or powdered hair.

Parcel gilt refers to furniture and mirrors where only specific carved details are coated in gold leaf. This technique lets the natural grain of walnut or mahogany show alongside gilded highlights. It was a favoured method to add brightness to dark timber frames during the Georgian era.