Eagle Crest Mirror
An eagle crest mirror brings a commanding bird surmount to convex and rectangular wall glass, pairing striking form with period light reflection.
Eagle Crest Mirror
An eagle crest mirror is a wall-mounted glass piece crowned by a carved bird figure, most frequently encountered in Regency convex circular forms and Georgian mahogany fretwork designs. These pieces span from the eighteenth century through the nineteenth century, including revival styles like George II and Chippendale.
The version met most often on this page is the Regency giltwood convex wall mirror, where the spread eagle surmount perches atop a round frame, sometimes accompanied by candle sconces known as girandoles. Alongside these circular convex pieces, rectangular overmantel mirrors and pier mirrors appear with parcel-gilt details or carved bird crests.
Originating across periods such as the Georgian and Victorian eras, these mirrors function as focal points in a room. The integration of the bird motif atop mahogany, walnut, or giltwood frames defines the character of the category.
Materials and construction
Makers shaped these frames from timber such as mahogany, walnut, and ebonised wood, frequently applying gesso to carved wooden bases before adding gold leaf to create giltwood surfaces. Parcel-gilt examples combine exposed wood grain with gilded highlights on carved details like fretwork borders and the central bird crest.
Mirror glass of the period, including Vauxhall plates, sits within frames assembled with traditional joinery or carved from solid stock. Brass components appear on associated hardware and candle arms, while the reflective surface itself provides depth through curved convex glass or flat rectangular plates.
Eagle Crest Mirror Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for eagle crest mirror among the pieces listed under this phrase on Sellingantiques today, from the lower quarter to the upper quarter. They describe what is for sale here now, not the wider market.
Overmantel mirrors and pier mirrors appear alongside circular convex wall forms in the current selection.
Factors of quality
The standard of carving on the eagle crest and the depth of the frame ornament dictate the visual weight of the piece. Crisp detail in the feathers, talons, and surrounding foliage distinguishes superior carving from softer, later work.
The preservation of the original giltwood or polished wood surface determines authenticity and visual harmony. Original mirror glass with age-related oxidation holds greater interest than modern replacement plates.
The Eagle Crest Mirror Glossary
- Convex mirror
- A circular mirror with an outward-curving glass plate that bends reflections to capture a wide field of view in a compact room.
- Giltwood
- Wood that has been coated with a thin layer of gold leaf over a prepared gesso ground. This finish provides a bright, reflective surface characteristic of formal period frames.
- Parcel-gilt
- A decorative treatment where only specific carved elements or mouldings are gilded while the underlying wood grain remains visible.
- Fretwork
- Openwork patterns cut from thin wood boards using a fretsaw, commonly seen on eighteenth-century and revival wall mirror frames.
- Girandole
- A wall mirror featuring attached candle sconces that project forward to multiply candlelight within the room.
Eagle Crest Mirror: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I hang a heavy convex mirror?
Secure hanging requires fixing directly into wall studs or using heavy-duty proprietary wall anchors rated for the weight of the timber and glass.
Position the piece at eye level so the convex reflection centres the room effectively.
Are convex mirrors from the Regency period?
Many circular convex examples date from the Regency era, characterised by giltwood frames and eagle surmounts.
Revival pieces from later centuries also emulate this distinct silhouette.
What is a Vauxhall mirror?
A Vauxhall mirror refers to fine bevelled glass produced at the historic London factory during the Georgian period.
These plates often exhibit distinct thickness and subtle distortion from early manufacturing methods.
How do I clean antique mirror glass?
Use a dry microfibre cloth to gently remove dust from the glass surface and carved frame.
Avoid spraying liquid cleaner directly onto the glass, as moisture can seep behind the plate and damage the original silvering.