Why are old mirrors so heavy

Mirrors have been around for thousands of years, although the earliest mirrors were little more than reflective surfaces made of polished rocks or volcanic glass. The discovery of glass in the first century BCE allowed ancient Egyptians to make glass mirrors backed with silver, why are old mirrors so heavy, while the ancient Romans backed their glass with hot metal; even so, most mirrors were made with polished metal. For the better part of history, only the very wealthy bilibri afford a looking glass large enough to see their entire body — the rest had to settle for seeing only a small portion of themselves in a mirror. This was especially true during the why are old mirrors so heavy century, with the Venetian mirror.

So, obviously, yesterday, I was called on to move my mirror outside. It must weight a shit-ton. At least a mirror-shit-ton. At least years. Newer mirrors are made with aluminum. Older ones are made with silver. The silver coating is silver foil — not a sheet of silver like a cookie sheet alas.

Why are old mirrors so heavy

Mirror making dates back thousands of years. Throughout history, mirrors have been made using various materials for several purposes. From their origin to now, mirrors have come a long way in quality and concept. The earliest known date of a physical mirror that people could hold in their hands was 8, BC, using obsidian stone. Obsidian is produced by active volcanoes, and was first used in Kenya for pottery and arrowheads. Not to be confused with the TV show! They were mainly used as smaller decorations by the wealthy—unless you were royalty. They typically had handles made of wood, metal, or ivory. Much like the obsidian mirrors, these were usually made on the smaller side, unless you were very wealthy. There was a large curved mirror at the center that would reflect fire onto a beam.

Newer mirrors are made with aluminum.

The limitations of this process meant that only small plates could be made so several pieces of glass would be used to create a single mirror. By the late 18th century larger and better quality plates were being produced enabling more larger and decorative mirrors to come onto the market. These were free standing and fitted onto antique furniture. During the latter half of the 18th and 19th century, framing styles changed dramatically from elegantly carved gilt wood mirrors of the Chippendale period to beautiful polished frames like the antique cheval mirror of the Victorian period. Did you know antique mirrors were recycled as early as the s. There was a heavy tax on glass coming from abroad.

But have you ever wondered why some old mirrors are so incredibly heavy? From the use of specific materials to the manufacturing techniques employed in the past, antique mirrors have a distinct charm and weight that sets them apart from their modern counterparts. Have you ever wondered why old mirrors seem to have more heft than their modern counterparts? Well, fear not, my curious friends, for I am here to unravel the mysteries behind the weight of these antique looking glasses. So sit back, relax, and prepare to embark on a journey through the looking glass pun entirely intended. One of the primary reasons why old mirrors are so heavy is the thick glass used in their construction. Back in the good old days, craftsmen valued sturdiness and durability above all else. They wanted to make sure that the mirrors could withstand the test of time and perhaps a few clumsy mishaps along the way. So, they used thicker sheets of glass, resulting in a heavier finished product.

Why are old mirrors so heavy

People often think of their heirloom furniture, such as mirrors, as priceless antiques. The truth is, not all antique looking mirrors actually have age value as you might suppose. Should you try to restore an antique mirror? Good questions, which we can answer right here.

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Not to be confused with the TV show! Finally, there should be some clues in the mirror frame that will reveal how old it is - the design may be reflective of its era. These are some of the characteristics of different antique mirrors by era: Gothic: Gothic mirrors often had an oak frame, intricate carvings and an arch shape Baroque: Frames typically had gold or silver gilding Rococo: The frames were often made of walnut or mahogany wood, gilded, ornate and very heavy Neoclassical: Frames still had gilding, but tended to have simpler designs Georgian: The frames had a wider range of colours and styles - swing mirrors were common, for example Regency: Gold gilding was very popular - many had architectural columned frames, carved eagles on the top, or leaf motifs Victorian: Often overmantel mirrors, the very ornate and well-decorated frames were sometimes made of metal, but also darker wood such as rosewood Attributing a mirror to its specific period of time will make it easier to value. This Decorative Edwardian Antique Convex Mirror circa, has a circular moulded frame with turned projections and the original convex mirror. Two Way Mirrors. Post navigation « The Coyotes are Down from the Hills. Adam preferred gilt work usually on a soft wood and Hepplewhite usually used mahogany. It is framed by elegant half rounded columns and is the perfect finishing touch for a hallway or landing. They were mainly used as smaller decorations by the wealthy—unless you were royalty. Silver is boiled down to a liquid, and then applied in a thin, even coating to the glass. Picture this: 15thth century Italy. From their origin to now, mirrors have come a long way in quality and concept. Look for signs of wear, such as chips, scratches, and stains, which are likely to be present on an antique wall mirror frame.

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This was to reflect sun rays on roman ships. If you found this guide helpful, you may also like our articles on how to get your antiques valued , as well as how to sell your antiques. Early 18th Century toilet mirrors were sturdier in construction, and standing on plinth bases which had small drawers. This antique mirror would be the perfect finishing touch above a grand fireplace, large console table or credenza. Sometimes they were inlaid with a shell pattern. Regency mirrors — feature oval shapes with slimmer frames finished with gilded gold and natural mahogany; popular in England during the early s. Have you ever heard the story of the famous Mathematician, Archimedes, using mirrors to burn down enemy ships? The second is to wipe the glass with a lint free cloth which has been wrung out in lukewarm water to which a few drops of ammonia have been added. Here are a few examples that we have previously sold. Much like the obsidian mirrors, these were usually made on the smaller side, unless you were very wealthy. This unusual pair of vintage mirrors are unusual due to being a matching pair, they have gilt scrolled decoration with delightful cherub face shelving. Two Way Mirrors.