Antique mirrors are becoming increasingly popular. This is no doubt because most of them give off an air of romantic quality, and they help to bring depth, character, warmth and history to any room. Guests will often notice the mirror, and many will enquire as to where you found it, how long you have had it, how much you paid for it, how old it is, plus plenty of additional questions. It becomes a conversation starter all on its own as the people who view it eagerly try to find out more about the piece.
Now for the not-so-good news. When it comes to housing and hanging your antique mirror, it is likely to be somewhat difficult. Well, that is, unless you know how.
Essential tips for handling, housing and preserving aged glass
One of the main things to remember and to bear in mind when it comes to handling, housing, preserving and hanging your antique mirror is that aged glass is usually extremely fragile, heavily reactive to chemical fumes, and much heavier than modern float glass. For those of you who are looking to frame or re-house an antique mirror without damaging its delicate backing, there are certain things that need to be taken into consideration in order for you to be able to handle it safely.
Some people will make the simple mistake of attempting to clean the dark clouding or speckled spots, which are often referred to in the trade as "foxing", off the antique mirror. These marks are the whole reason as to what makes the mirror so magical and sought after, as they tell the story of decades of atmospheric wear. The main reason not to attempt to clean these areas is that what you are seeing is not dirt sitting on the surface; it's the gradual oxidation of the mercury-tin amalgam or silver nitrate coating applied to the rear of the glass. Any cleaning, scraping or wiping of the back of the antique mirror could well end with the metallic layer being completely stripped away. What you would then be left with would be patches of clear, scratched window glass, which is not exactly stylish.
Antique mirrors can be very sensitive to airborne chemicals. To avoid the silvering on the glass from turning completely black, it is prudent to line the rear rebate of the wooden frame with archival barrier foil or an acid-free conservation board. It is also best to avoid using chemical glues or household glues when it comes to securing the glass into the frame channel. Non-acidic mirror clips are a much better choice.
You may well be surprised at just how heavy the antique mirror is. It is for this reason that it's imperative that you support the weight with a heavy-duty wooden frame with a wide rebate.
It is also important to allow for thermal expansion, as old glass often expands and contracts a fair amount as temperatures fluctuate throughout the year.
When attempting to preserve an antique mirror, it is not about trying to hide its age. This is something that should be highlighted. The important thing is to ensure it is housed securely and safely in a sturdy frame that enables all its magical imperfections to shine for generations to come.