Where should I hang a pier glass?

These tall mirrors suit narrow wall spaces between windows or above low mantelpieces and sideboards. Their vertical proportions draw the eye upward and bounce daylight across the room. Ensure the wall construction supports the considerable weight of carved wooden frames and thick glass plates. Heavy duty fixings secured directly into studs or masonry provide the necessary support.

How do I identify eighteenth century mirrors?

Eighteenth century examples often display hand-carved wooden frames finished with gold leaf rather than heavy moulded gesso. They frequently house original mercury glass plates with natural foxing and uneven thickness. Construction details on the reverse, such as hand-cut pine or oak backing boards and old iron fixings, help confirm the period alongside stylistic markers like Louis XVI symmetry or Rococo asymmetry.

What is a trumeau mirror?

A trumeau mirror incorporates a decorative painted panel or oil painting directly above the glass plate within a single unified wooden frame. Originating in grand French interiors, they served as permanent architectural wall decorations. These pieces bring both artwork and reflection into a room without requiring separate wall hangings. The painted sections often depict pastoral scenes or classical motifs matching the room's decorative scheme.

How do I care for antique mirror glass?

Clean the glass surface gently using a dry microfiber cloth or a minimal amount of water applied to the cloth rather than the mirror. Avoid commercial ammonia-based cleaning solutions that can seep behind the edges and damage the historical silvering. Protect the frame from direct sunlight and fluctuating humidity to prevent the gesso and gold leaf from cracking or lifting over time.