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Antique Mirror Glass
Today antique mirror glass is essentially a generic term covering most if not all aspects of the products created by distressing mirror glass. It originated from the effect created when the silver on old mirrors became oxidised as the paint on the back of the mirrors used to protect the silver gradually lost its sealing properties.
The blackening of the edges of the mirror glass created an interesting effect which has been developed into a range of different styles over many years, some of which try to replicate the original antique mirror glass and some which provide more contemporary effects in a more modern setting.
In recent years antiqued mirror glass has become an increasingly popular surface design material for interior designers and architects as a way of providing a more dynamic and artistic look to standard mirror glass, whether used as wall cladding, kitchen or bathroom splashbacks, kitchen work-tops, screens, furniture or in antique and contemporary frames.
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Antique Mirrors
An Antique Mirror can offer something special to most rooms. Unlike some antique furniture, an antique mirror still provides the same use as a looking glass as it did when it was first made.
French and Venetian antique mirrors are the most striking and popular with their intricate detail, but the simplicity of a classic cover mantel with a gilded frame can be very effective in the right space.
As can often happen with fragile pieces like mirrors, the glass can break and sometimes replacing it simply with new glass is not the right answer. Fortunately there are a number of companies offering suitable replacement glass in the form of reproduction antique mirror glass.
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Distressed Mirrors
Distressed mirrors are essentially mirrors where the mirror glass itself has been distressed in some way to create an effect.
There are a number of companies in the UK offering a range of different styles for distressed glass, some of which resemble old or antiqued mirror glass, and some of which have a more contemporary look like marbled or mottled.
Most distressed mirrors are made to order, with the glass being cut to the requirements before it is then silvered. The distressed mirror effect is then created using an acid which is left for a period of time before being washed off and the then painted to seal the mirror.
As the process is much more labour intensive than standard mirror glass, the costs are considerably higher, often starting at around £350 per square metre before VAT. Lead times are also longer, typically 4-6 weeks.
