Small handheld or wall mirrors were not made in England until the beginning of the 17th century. Until then, most were imported from Venice. The celebrated Vauxhall glasshouses were opened in the 1660s.

At first, hand blown techniques were used, but the glass showed a great many imperfections, particularly when used for mirror making. Glass casting, where the molten glass was poured on to a bed of hot metal and rolled, was introduced in France in the later 17th century, but it was not until 1773 that the British Plate Glass Company was incorporated. From then on this glass tended to supplant the French imports.

Initially the mirrored pieces were relatively small and a large carved frame frequently had to incorporate glazing bars to accommodate several pieces of glass. After the mid-18th century improved techniques meant that large plates could be produced, and one supplied by Chippendale measured 231cm more...

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A very large Faunal and floral carved oak mirror frame by…

Exquisite Faunal and Floral Carved Oak Mirror Frame

A very large Faunal and floral carved oak mirror frame by Robert Prenzel, 1905-1910, a plate frame of 'Sansovino' type, the toprail with a figure of a cockatoo alighting on a crest of two overlaid escutcheons pierced by a spray of fruiting foliage and…

Sterling silver vanity set, Art Nouveau embossed decoration,…

Art Nouveau Sterling Silver Vanity Set

Sterling silver vanity set, Art Nouveau embossed decoration, hallmarked Walker & Hall Sheffield 1908 comprising brush, mirror and clothes brush

An Art Nouveau easel mirror, the wooden frame with applied…

Art Nouveau Easel Mirror with Brass and Turquoise Cabochons

An Art Nouveau easel mirror, the wooden frame with applied brass and 'Turquoise' cabochons., 40 x 27.5 cm. Can be wall mounted.

A fine antique mahogany servery with Louis XVI and Art Nouveau…

Antique Mahogany Servery with Selene Gilt Bronze Mounts

A fine antique mahogany servery with Louis XVI and Art Nouveau Influences, circa 1900, with a low arching bevelled mirror back, the base with a central fielded cupboard, side cupboards and drawers and raised on toupie feet, beautifully decorated with fine…

A fine antique mahogany buffet with Louis XVI and Art Nouveau…

Antique Mahogany Buffet with Gilt Bronze Mounts

A fine antique mahogany buffet with Louis XVI and Art Nouveau Influences, circa 1900, having a central bevel glazed mirror and a pair of mirror backed cabinets with glass shelves, the extended base with a fielded panel cupboard flanked by single drawers…

Antique brass framed decorative screen Art Nouveau style brass…

Art Nouveau Bird and Blossom Decorative Screen

Antique brass framed decorative screen Art Nouveau style brass framed mirror screen, hand painted bird and blossom decoration, height 80 cm, width 50 cm.

An Art Nouveau oak overmantel mirror, the rectangular plate in…

Art Nouveau Oak Mirror with Lily Motif

An Art Nouveau oak overmantel mirror, the rectangular plate in a slightly arched frame, gilt and incised to the uprights with stylised lilies, 128 x 94.5 cm

A French Art Nouveau carved walnut mirror attributed to Eugene…

Art Nouveau Walnut Mirror by Eugene Gaillard

A French Art Nouveau carved walnut mirror attributed to Eugene Gaillard 205 cm high, 130 cm wide

A large Art Nouveau style gilt wood mirror, 106 cm high, 138 cm…

Art Nouveau Gilt Wood Mirror - 106x138cm

A large Art Nouveau style gilt wood mirror, 106 cm high, 138 cm wide

An Art Nouveau bronze Japonaise dragon mirror, circa 1900.,…

Art Nouveau Dragon Mirror

An Art Nouveau bronze Japonaise dragon mirror, circa 1900., probably French, the solid bronze easel back mirror of cushion form with an asymmetrically positioned bevelled glass, applied dragon and trailing floral motifs in relief to two corners, one with…

An Art Nouveau style mahogany overmantel, with 4 bevelled glass…

Art Nouveau Mahogany Overmantel with Bevelled Mirrors and Shelves

An Art Nouveau style mahogany overmantel, with 4 bevelled glass mirrors and two upper shelves, with turned spindle pillar supports, and with carved, top pediment. Height 1228 cm. Width 156 cm. Depth 21.5 cm

A rare Austrian Art Nouveau ebonised mirror and pedestal. 276 x…

Austrian Art Nouveau Ebonised Mirror and Pedestal

A rare Austrian Art Nouveau ebonised mirror and pedestal. 276 x 120 x 31 cm