How do I clean an antique mirror glass?

Clean the glass gently using a soft microfibre cloth and a mild, ammonia-free glass cleaner sprayed onto the cloth rather than directly onto the plate. Avoid touching the edges where the original silvering or mercury backing is vulnerable to flaking and further moisture damage.

Are these mirrors heavy to hang?

Many of these pieces possess substantial weight due to their dense wooden frames, thick gesso layers, and large glass plates. Secure them directly into wall studs using heavy-duty mirror brackets or professional French cleats to ensure safe wall mounting.

How can I spot an 18th-century piece?

Examine the construction of the wooden frame behind the gesso for hand-cut joinery, older tool marks, and dense pine or hardwood shrinkage. Authentic period plates often feature subtle distortions in the glass and heavy foxing that differs sharply from nineteenth-century revival methods.

What is the difference between Rococo and Rococo Revival?

Original Rococo pieces date from the eighteenth century under the reign of Louis XV and display hand-carved execution tailored to contemporary interiors. Rococo Revival items emerged during the nineteenth century as makers enthusiastically recreated those earlier curved motifs for Victorian and chateau-style homes.