How do I hang a heavy antique mirror safely?

Heavy frames require professional wall fixings distributed across sturdy masonry or stud work to support the substantial weight of timber and glass. Weight allowances should be verified before mounting overmantel or cheval formats to ensure domestic safety.

Foxed glass refers to the speckled dark spots and degradation that occur naturally in antique mirror plates over centuries of chemical interaction. This ageing process confirms the authenticity of eighteenth-century and early nineteenth-century glass panels.

How do I clean a gilded frame?

Gilded surfaces require extremely gentle dusting with a soft, dry brush to prevent damage to fragile gold leaf and gesso. Moisture and commercial cleaning products must be avoided entirely to preserve historic metallic finishes.

How do I spot a reproduction?

Reproductions often display uniform machine carving and modern mirror plates lacking the characteristic distortions of period glass. Examining the backboards, joinery methods, and wear patterns helps distinguish genuine Georgian items from later revivals.