What is the difference between a toilet mirror and a wall mirror?

Toilet mirrors include a supporting frame and base designed to rest on top of a dressing table or chest. They usually feature pivot pins so the glass angle can be adjusted. Wall mirrors are built with integrated hanging loops or brackets meant to attach directly to a vertical surface.

How do I care for antique wood and glass?

Clean the wooden frame with a soft, dry cloth to remove dust, avoiding modern silicone polishes that can build up over time. Natural wax feeds older timber. Use a minimal amount of glass cleaner applied to a cloth rather than the mirror itself, preventing moisture from seeping behind the silvered backing.

How can I tell the period of a mirror?

Examine the timber species, the style of the frame carving, and the construction methods used on the reverse. Georgian pieces often show hand-planed surfaces and simpler joinery. Later Victorian and Edwardian examples may feature machine-cut elements, distinctive inlay patterns, or bevelled mirror glass edges typical of those decades.