Where should I hang a wall mirror?

These pieces suit placement above mantelpieces, fireplaces or console tables where they reflect light across a room. Their architectural proportions demand clear wall space without crowding from surrounding artwork. Ensure secure fixings into solid masonry or studwork, as eighteenth-century frames carry considerable weight from timber and glass.

How do I care for antique glass?

Clean mirror plates gently using a soft, dry cloth or mild glass cleaner applied to the cloth rather than the glass directly. Avoid letting moisture seep behind the silvered backing or into the timber frame. Keep pieces away from direct sunlight and radiators to prevent the walnut veneer from drying out or splitting.

What is a dressing glass?

A dressing glass is a portable mirror mounted on pivots between two upright posts, set atop a small base fitted with miniature drawers. They sat on dressing tables or chests for close-up grooming. Many examples feature shaped drawer fronts and bracket feet matching the larger furniture of the period.

How can I spot later revivals?

Revival pieces from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries often employ machine-sawn backing boards, modern brass fixings and uniform veneer patterns lacking eighteenth-century depth. Construction methods and timber oxidation help reveal the true age of the carcass. Stylistic cues also provide clues, as Victorian makers frequently combined George I walnut aesthetics with heavier proportions.