How do I date a brass mounted mirror?

Dating relies on examining the construction methods of the wooden frame, the fixing style of the brass mounts, and the characteristics of the glass plate itself. Earlier pieces from the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries often show hand-beveled glass and hand-cut screws. Later Victorian and Edwardian examples display machine manufacturing traits, standardised brass fixings, and distinct stylistic revivals such as Arts and Crafts or French Empire.

Are the mirror plates original?

Many surviving pieces retain their original glass plates, which frequently exhibit minor foxing, silvering loss, or tiny surface imperfections gained over the centuries. These signs of age help confirm that the glass has not been replaced. When a plate is brilliantly clear without any blemishes, it often indicates a modern replacement rather than period glass.

How do I care for the brass and wood?

Maintenance involves dusting the wooden frame with a dry cloth and occasionally applying a suitable wax to nourish polished mahogany, oak or rosewood surfaces. Avoid getting polishes or moisture onto the mirror glass or directly into the wooden joints. Brass mounts should be left with their natural aged patina rather than polished to a bright shine, which can damage adjacent wood finishes.