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...

31 items found:

These items have been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.

If you are seeking to purchase similar items CLICK HERE to view 113 similar items being offered for sale by dealers at our AntiquesPlus site.

A neoclassical style pier mirror by Brian barrow, modern, the…

A neoclassical style pier mirror by Brian barrow, modern, the egg and dart cornice above a broad frieze painted with naked gladiators, the bevelled plate flanked by fluted pilasters. Height 243 cm, width 108 cm. Provenance: The Estate of the Hon. Dr John…

Chippendale rococo style water gilded mirror, England, c. 1850,…

Chippendale rococo style water gilded mirror, England, c. 1850, an elaborate gilded frame comprising 16 mirror plates, carved throughout with foliage, garlands, shells and c-scrolls, surmounted by a central cartouche flanked by finely carved ho-ho birds,…

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…

An Art Deco style ebonised and bone inlaid mirror, 75 x 63 cm.…

Art Deco Bone Inlaid Mirror from Count de Vienne Collection

An Art Deco style ebonised and bone inlaid mirror, 75 x 63 cm. Provenance: The collection of the late Count Patrick de Vienne and Countess de Vienne, Sydney

Louis XV giltwood mirror, 18th century, the shaped mirror with…

18th Century Louis XV Giltwood Floral Mirror

Louis XV giltwood mirror, 18th century, the shaped mirror with carved floral decoration, on red velvet lined wooden back, 113 x 75 cm. Provenance: Private Collection, NSW

Louis XV style giltwood mirror, 19th century, the moulded and…

19th Century Giltwood Louis XV Style Mirror

Louis XV style giltwood mirror, 19th century, the moulded and carved frame with scrolls and floral decoration, 119 x 68 cm. Provenance: The Estate of a lady, Sydney

Pair of Regency Adam style giltwood mirrors, early 20th century,…

Regency Adam Giltwood Mirrors (Pair)

Pair of Regency Adam style giltwood mirrors, early 20th century, each with a rectangular moulded frame surmounted by an urn flanked by scrolling leaves and garlands (2), 120 x 60 cm. Provenance: Private Collection, Sydney

A Louis XVI style giltwood console table and mirror, late 19th…

Louis XVI Giltwood Console Table and Mirror

A Louis XVI style giltwood console table and mirror, late 19th century, the decoratively carved mirror accented with flowers, acanthus leaves and scrolls, sitting upon a breakfront console inset with a marble plate, above fluted legs and stretchers,…

Louis XVI style giltwood mirror, 19th century, with central…

19th Century Giltwood Mirror with Maiden Busts

Louis XVI style giltwood mirror, 19th century, with central bevelled oval plate surrounded by further shaped panels, the surround carved and moulded with scrolls and flowers, the whole surmounted by two maiden's busts, 140 x 92 cm. Provenance: Private…

George III Chippendale style mahogany and parcel-gilt mirror, c.…

Chippendale Mahogany Gilt Mirror with Phoenix & Roses

George III Chippendale style mahogany and parcel-gilt mirror, c. 1760, the scrolled frame with carved giltwood applied decoration in the form of garlands of roses down the sides, the top surmounted by a phoenix 122 x 56 cm. Provenance: Hackwood park,…

Italian rococo style giltwood mirror, late 19th century, the…

Italian Rococo Giltwood Mirror, Late 19th Century

Italian rococo style giltwood mirror, late 19th century, the rectangular frame carved with scrolls and shells 103 x 117 cm. Provenance: Lawsons, April 2001. Private collection, Sydney

Chippendale style mahogany and parcel-gilt mirror, 19th century,…

Mahogany and Gilt Mirror with Phoenix Surmount

Chippendale style mahogany and parcel-gilt mirror, 19th century, the scrolled frame with a rectangular mirror plate, surmounted by a giltwood phoenix (A/F) 93.5 x 53 cm. Provenance: Private Collection, Sydney

Louis XV style giltwood mirror, 19th century, of rectangular…

19th Century Giltwood Louis XV Mirror

Louis XV style giltwood mirror, 19th century, of rectangular shape, with moulded scrolls, shells and flowers, later mirror plate 108 x 84 cm. Provenance: Private Collection, Sydney

Georgian style pier mirror, 20th century, tall rectangular…

Georgian Pier Mirror, 20th Century

Georgian style pier mirror, 20th century, tall rectangular plate with moulded rim, height 158 cm width 42 cm. Provenance: The Collection of Janet and Graeme Webb, Wollogorang, NSW

Attributed to Luke Lightfoot (English), George III carved wood…

18th Century Rococo Style Carved Wood Pier Mirror

Attributed to Luke Lightfoot (English), George III carved wood pier mirror, 18th century, in the rococo style, the shaped rectangular beveled plate within a pierced white painted surround of scrolls, acanthus foliage and flowers, the lower part centred by…

Pier mirror early 20th century blackwood with, fluted design in…

Fluted Blackwood Pier Mirror in Federation Style

Pier mirror early 20th century blackwood with, fluted design in the Australian Federation classical style, height 150 cm, length 71 cm

Louis XV grey-painted and parcel-gilt trumeau mirror Mid-18th…

Louis XV Grey-Painted Trumeau Mirror with Gilt Details

Louis XV grey-painted and parcel-gilt trumeau mirror Mid-18th century, the moulded cornice above two gilded columns and applied foliate decoration, the centre with a shaped rectangular mirror plate within a gilded frame surmounted by a shell, possibly…

A Queen Anne style Venetian glass mirror, with a border of…

Queen Anne Venetian Glass Mirror

A Queen Anne style Venetian glass mirror, with a border of bevelled blue glass with aged bevel plate. 179 x 81 cm. Provenance: Private Collection, Sydney

Italian rococo style giltwood overmantel mirror, late 18th…

Italian Rococo Giltwood Overmantel Mirror, Late 18th Century

Italian rococo style giltwood overmantel mirror, late 18th century, the rectangular mirror plate within a double surround carved with foliate scrolls and shells, the pediment profusely carved with scrolls, foliage and flowers, further adorned with four…

French Art Deco mirror, c. 1920, in the style of Edgar Brandt,…

French Art Deco Wrought Iron Mirror Plate

French Art Deco mirror, c. 1920, in the style of Edgar Brandt, wrought iron and mirror plate, height 166 cm width 151 cm. Provenance: John Playfoot Fine Art, Melbourne, 2004. Private Collection, Sydney

A Regency style silver giltwood mirror, fashioned, after an…

Regency Silver Giltwood Octagonal Mirror

A Regency style silver giltwood mirror, fashioned, after an example owned by the Duke and Duchess of Windsor at Palace Windsor, the octagonal acanthus moulded frame with faceted mirror plates, 166 x 125 cm

Louis Philippe style giltwood mirror, late 19th century, curved…

Louis Philippe Giltwood Mirror, Late 19th Century

Louis Philippe style giltwood mirror, late 19th century, curved rectangular frame with beaded decoration, later glass, 168 x 125 cm. Provenance: Paul Kenny Antiques, Sydney, 2003

Louis Philippe giltwood mirror, c. 1850, rounded rectangular…

Louis Philippe giltwood mirror with floral and shell decoration

Louis Philippe giltwood mirror, c. 1850, rounded rectangular moulded frame with floral decoration, surmounted by a pediment of scrolling flowers and central shell shield (A/F), 183 x 112 cm. Provenance: Private Collection, Sydney

Brian Barrow (Australian), monumental Regency style giltwood…

Regency Giltwood Convex Mirror with Candelabra

Brian Barrow (Australian), monumental Regency style giltwood convex mirror, surmounted by a neoclassical trophy and flanked by three branch candelabra, height 184 cm width 134 cm. Provenance: collection of George and Adisa Pompei, Sydney

Monumental Louis Phillippe gilt-wood mirror, c. 1880, the oval…

Louis Phillippe Gilt-Wood Mirror with Foliate Crest

Monumental Louis Phillippe gilt-wood mirror, c. 1880, the oval frame surmounted by a crest carved with foliate, height 198 cm width 133 depth 13.5 cm. Provenance: The Country Trader. Private collection, 54 Park Street Spa, Sydney,

Rococo style carved giltwood mirror, the arched frame carved…

Rococo Giltwood Mirror, Scrolling Foliage Carvings

Rococo style carved giltwood mirror, the arched frame carved and moulded with scrolling foliage and leaves, top (A/F). Height 170 cm. Width 82 cm. Provenance: The Estate of Nancy Melick, NSW

Italian rococo style carved giltwood mirror, the arched plate…

Italian Rococo Giltwood Mirror

Italian rococo style carved giltwood mirror, the arched plate contained within an ornately carved and moulded frame with a scrolling foliate crest surmounted by leaves and flanked by trailing foliage. Height 127 cm. Width 69 cm. Provenance: The Collection…

A large Mannerist style carved lime-wood mirror, French, 17th…

17th Century French Carved Lime-Wood Mirror with Cherubs

A large Mannerist style carved lime-wood mirror, French, 17th century, carved with cherubs and foliage, 138 cm high, 120 cm wide. Provenance: John Dunn Antiques, Melbourne

An Empire style gilt gesso and green painted over-mantel mirror,…

Empire Style Gilt Over-Mantel Mirror, French 19th Century

An Empire style gilt gesso and green painted over-mantel mirror, French 19th century, 151 cm high, 96 cm wide. Provenance: Private Collection, Sydney

Heavily carved blackwood overmantle mirror in Prenzel style

Blackwood Prenzel-style Overmantle Mirror with Intricate Carvings

Heavily carved blackwood overmantle mirror in Prenzel style

Louis XV style gilt overmantle mirror, 19th century, leaf and…

Louis XV Gilt Overmantle Mirror with Garlands and Shield

Louis XV style gilt overmantle mirror, 19th century, leaf and berry border surmounted by garlands and a central shield motif. Height 198.5 cm. Width 160 cm. Provenance: Orlando design and Antiques, Mosman. The Estate of a Lady, NSW