What causes foxing on old mirrors?

Foxing occurs when air and moisture seep behind the glass plate and react with the silvering or mercury backing over many decades. This chemical breakdown creates dark spots and cloudy areas. Such natural ageing is a key marker of antique authenticity and gives the glass its distinctive decorative quality.

How do I style a distressed gilded mirror?

These mirrors work well mounted above mantelpieces, console tables, or dressing tables where their reflective surfaces can bounce light around a room. Their weathered frames blend easily with both traditional and modern interiors. Allowing the piece to lean against a wall rather than hang adds a relaxed, informal feel to a living space or hallway.

How do I tell different periods apart?

Period identification relies on examining the framing style, carving motifs, and the construction of the wooden backboards. For instance, eighteenth-century pieces often feature intricate carved woodwork, while nineteenth-century French models favour simpler architectural lines like Louis Philippe. Matching the frame style with the manufacturing technique of the mirror glass helps confirm the age of the piece.