How do I clean a mahogany mirror frame?

Dust the timber gently with a dry, soft cloth to remove surface grit without disturbing the aged patina. Avoid modern silicone sprays or heavy polishes that build up sticky residues over the grain. For the glass plate, apply a mild glass cleaner to a cloth rather than spraying directly onto the surface, preventing any liquid from seeping behind the antique silvering.

How can I tell a Georgian mirror from a later one?

Georgian pieces typically display restrained proportions, hand-cut joinery, and timber with a deep, natural wax finish developed over centuries. The secondary woods hidden behind the frame often include pine or oak appropriate to the eighteenth century. Later nineteenth-century and twentieth-century examples may use machine-sawn backing boards, brighter modern brass fittings, or different veneer thicknesses that mark them out as subsequent revivals.

Where should I place a red mahogany mirror?

Hang these pieces on a chimney breast, above a sideboard, or in a hallway where the rich red timber tones complement surrounding furniture. Positioning them opposite a window helps bounce natural light deeper into the room. Keep them away from direct, harsh sunlight and damp exterior walls to protect the timber grain and the silvered glass backing from deterioration.