Where should a pier glass hang?

Historically, these mirrors hung on the narrow strip of wall between two windows to bounce daylight back into dark rooms. Today, they work equally well above low console tables or serving as full-length dressing mirrors. Because of their impressive height, they require secure wall fixings anchored into structural studs or masonry to support the heavy timber and glass weight.

How do I identify mercury glass?

Mercury glass displays a deep, dark reflective quality with characteristic dark spots, clouding, and subtle distortion known as foxing. This appearance stems from the historic silvering process rather than modern chemical manufacturing. Original plates offer an unmistakable soft sheen that sharply contrasts with the bright, uniform reflection of modern replacement mirror glass.

How do I date an antique mirror?

Dating relies on examining the construction of the timber frame, the joinery at the corners, and the composition of the gesso or gilding layers. Styles like Regency, Neoclassical, and French Empire provide clear stylistic markers for the decades of production. Backboards, old screw heads, and the physical characteristics of the glass plate itself offer further physical evidence to confirm the era of manufacture.