Where should I hang pair ornate gold mirrors?

These mirrors suit symmetrical placement on either side of a fireplace, doorway, or large piece of furniture. Their matching design creates visual balance and reflects light across the room. Ensure the wall structure supports the combined weight of heavy wooden frames and glass plates. Secure fixings into wall studs or use appropriate heavy-duty anchors.

How do I date these mirrors?

Dating relies on stylistic clues like Rococo Revival curves, Neoclassical symmetry, or Victorian proportions, combined with construction methods visible on the reverse. Examining the backing boards, screw types, and composition of the gesso helps narrow the era. Earlier 18th-century pieces often feature hand-carved wooden frames with distinct joinery, while 19th-century examples frequently utilise moulded plaster and machine-cut fixings.

What is a girandole mirror?

A girandole is a wall mirror equipped with integrated candle arms or sconces attached to the frame. They were designed to multiply the flickering light of candles in dim rooms. Many surviving examples from the 19th century retain their original brass or gilt-wood arm attachments, used for holding taper candles.

Are the mirror plates original?

Many antique mirrors retain their original glass, which often displays age spots, minor silvering loss, or slight distortion known as foxing. These natural imperfections confirm the age of the piece. Some mirrors have received replacement glass plates over the centuries to maintain a clearer reflection while preserving the antique frame.