How did people use these mirrors?

These pieces served a practical purpose before electric lighting by holding candles and bouncing their light back into dark rooms. Placed between windows or above mantelpieces, they maximised the illumination available from a few flames. Over time, they evolved into purely decorative focal points while retaining their distinctive candle arms. Their reflective properties made smaller Victorian parlours feel larger and brighter.

Where should I hang a girandole?

Traditional placement involved hanging the piece between two windows, known as a pier glass position, to catch daylight and evening candlelight alike. They also function effectively above a fireplace mantel where the sconces flank the central mirror plate. Ensure the wall fixings can support the weight of heavy giltwood or cast brass frames. Position them at eye level so the mirror and candle brackets sit comfortably within the room's proportions.

How do I spot a reproduction?

Examine the construction materials at the back of the frame, looking for aged timber, hand-cut screws, and genuine gesso rather than modern polyurethane resin. Nineteenth-century glass often displays subtle imperfections, slight foxing, or distortion within the reflection. Check how the candle sconces attach to the frame, as period pieces feature integrated metalwork or pegged wooden joints that show consistent age. Uniform modern finishes and machine-moulded ornamentation usually indicate a later copy.

What is the difference between convex and flat mirrors?

Convex mirrors feature a curved, spherical glass plate that reflects a wide, panoramic view of the entire room. They are typically round and surrounded by heavy gilded frames with decorative crests. Flat mirrors provide a direct, unwarped reflection and usually appear in rectangular, oval, or pier mirror formats. Both styles incorporated candle sconces, but convex versions concentrate ambient light across a broader space.