Where should an arched mirror hang?

These mirrors were traditionally positioned directly above a fireplace mantelpiece to reflect light and visually expand the proportions of a reception room. In modern settings, they function equally well mounted on principal living room walls or above large sideboards to create a similar architectural focal point.

Are these mirrors original nineteenth century?

The inventory consists primarily of nineteenth-century English and French pieces produced during the Victorian and Louis Philippe periods. Maker methods, including carved wood and gesso construction under gold leaf, align with the manufacturing practices of the eighteen-sixties and eighteen-seventies.

How do I identify a French style?

French examples from this period often display the restrained curves characteristic of Louis Philippe designs or the more exuberant ornamentation associated with Rococo revival styles. They frequently utilise specific timber frames and proportions distinct from contemporaneous English overmantel mirrors.

What is mercury glass?

Older looking glasses were backed using a liquid mercury amalgam before modern chemical silvering processes were invented. This historic technique results in the characteristic soft reflection and aged foxing spots valued by collectors today.