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How to Find Out If a Glass Mirror Is Antique?

Mirrors have a long history in myth and fact. Though the first mirrors may have been no more than still pools of water, their development soon progressed to polished metal and mercury-backed glass, according to online design newsletter Designboom. The modern mirror-making technique of chemically coating glass with silver (now often aluminum) was invented in 1835 by the German Justus Von Liebig in 1835, said Designboom. With careful examination and a little historical knowledge, the time period of any glass mirror can be determined.

Things You'll Need

Old mirror
Measuring tape
Furniture style guide

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the mirror. The size will tell some of its history. According to Basic Antiques online, mirrors were never more than 2 feet before the 1800s.
- 2
  Determine the frame style. Framing followed the furniture styles of any period. This will determine a time line of production. The date of a mirror can be estimated by the style. Framing evolves from wood to plaster and composition boarding.
- 3
  Assess the mirror's shape and setting. Painting and painted panels can serve to distinguish historical placement . Old wood veneers were thicker and not uniform as they are today.
- 4
  Look for any trademarks or other determining marks, labels and dates.
- 5
  Remove a screw from the back of the mirror. Irregular threads or head on the screw signal older age.
- 6
  Look at the thickness of the glass. Old glass was thin and had a gray look to it. It was wavy and did not cast an accurate reflection. Thicker glass means more recent production.
- 7
  Check the edge of the glass. Older pressed or poured glass has a rounded appearance while cut glass will have a crisp edge. Also look at the interior of the glass from the edge vantage point. The newer cut glass will appear smooth and have a clear consistency throughout while older glass will have some pits or small nicked indentations.

Antiquing