Where should I hang an adam style wall mirror?

These mirrors suit principal reception rooms, hallways, and above mantelpieces where their symmetrical neoclassical framing can anchor the wall space. Their reflective properties also help to distribute natural light across darker corners of a room.

How do I identify a revival piece from an original?

Examination of the timber backing, the construction of the gesso, and the ageing of the mirror plate helps to distinguish eighteenth-century originals from nineteenth- and twentieth-century revival pieces. Revival pieces often reflect Victorian or Edwardian manufacturing techniques beneath their neoclassical styling.

What materials make up the frame?

Frames typically combine a wooden carcass with gesso and composition ornamentation finished in gold leaf or parcel gilt. Some examples also utilise mahogany as the primary visible timber rather than gilded finishes.

What is a girandole mirror?

A girandole is a wall mirror fitted with integrated candle sconces attached to the frame. These allowed candlelight to multiply within the room. They appear in oval and circular formats within neoclassical designs.