How do I choose the right size fireplace frame?

Measure the width of your mantelpiece to ensure the frame does not exceed the shelf dimensions. Overmantel mirrors typically look best when they match or slightly sit within the outer edges of the fireplace surround. Consider the ceiling height of your room as well, selecting arched or crested top designs that draw the eye upward without dominating the entire wall space.

Were these frames always used above fireplaces?

While primarily built as overmantels to sit on mantel shelves, many large nineteenth-century examples functioned equally as principal wall mirrors in reception rooms. Their substantial proportions were engineered to reflect light from windows and chandeliers across large Victorian and Regency interiors. Today, buyers frequently hang them directly on living room walls as statement focal points, regardless of whether a working fireplace sits below.

Can I clean original giltwood frames?

Giltwood surfaces require gentle dusting with a soft, dry brush to remove particulate matter without disturbing fragile metallic leaf. Avoid using liquid cleaners, moisture, or chemical solvents, which can strip the delicate gesso and gold leaf layers. If the glass requires cleaning, apply a mild glass cleaner to a cloth rather than spraying directly onto the mirror, preventing moisture from seeping behind the antique frame edges.