How can you tell if a mirror is an antique?
Typically, you can tell if a mirror is antique by looking for imperfections in the glass. These imprefections can include the presence of bubbles or warp in the glass, a metallic effect that is visible on the glass’s surface (a sign of mercury application), or blotches that can be seen through the mirror’s glass (an indication that old tin on the back of the mirror may have oxidized). Important to remember is that antique mirrors must be more than 100 years old to be considered antique, so keep that in mind as you survey your mirror. It is also common for antique frames to be swapped out with newer mirrors, since—as illustrated by the list of flaws above—antique glass tends to be far from perfect. Signs that you may have an antique frame, but a newer mirror include newer screws that do not align with the frame’s age.
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Lead photo design by Elms Interiors Design / Photo by Michael J. Lee
