The Magic Of The Antique Wall Mirrors

By Author: James Robinson
Total Articles: 20
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Antique wall mirrors have been sheer magic when it comes to decorating a home with them. Antique wall mirror on your dresser is a tool for your personal grooming. Antique wall mirror placed strategically in a room creates an illusion of extra space in it by reflecting the natural or artificial light. An antique wall mirror can also be an artwork for rustic decoration.

Mirrors originally appeared as small and hand held pieces of highly polished metal. In the 1st century AD, larger and full-bodied mirrors were created. In the 16th century the technique of backing a piece of glass with tin and mercury was used. This technique helped create ornate wall mirrors with heavy carvings or decorative metalwork. By the end of the 17th century both the wall mirrors and their frames started appearing in silver, ebony, tortoiseshell and ivory. Some frames of the wall mirrors also were decorated with needlework and beads. Carved work was common on mirrors for mantel and table decoration with replaceable frames.
Select antique wall mirrors depending on the purpose and your budget. Hand held mirrors are relatively inexpensive ...
... unlike larger wall mirrors that cost thousands of dollars. Get online and research, visit antique shops or talk to knowledgeable people before buying antique wall mirrors. Once you find some antique wall mirrors you like, take a printout or a photo of them and try them at the places you would want to put them in.

A genuine antique wall mirror has a reflection very close to the object. Avoid wavy and grayish looking antique wall mirrors and thin antique wall mirrors, as they are not good at reflecting. Do not buy antique wall mirrors that reflect objects as small and distant objects.

Antique wall mirrors reflect things of interest as indicated:

* An antique wall mirror at an entry hall enables you check your person for full length reflection, just before you leave for work.
* An antique wall mirror opposite to a window reflects a view.
* An antique wall mirror on a mantel creates a strong focal point .
* An antique wall mirror above the hall console or table in a corner to light up a dark area.

Selecting framed antique wall mirrors: Your framed antique wall mirrors should complement to the furniture in the room. If you are a non-traditionalist choose from ethnic or whimsical antique wall mirrors. Match the frame finish of the antique wall mirror to the formality or informality of your furniture. Choose a frame finish of the antique wall mirror from traditional wood, gilded bright, antique gold, antique painted or decorated. A wall should be painted with contrasting colors to highlight the antique wall mirror on it. Antique wall mirror frame should complement to the furniture both in value and color. The antique wall mirrors frame can also contrast to the furniture in the room, if you like. Choose frame material of the antique wall mirrors from finished wood, metal, bamboo or stained glass. The frame design of the antique wall mirrors can be eccentric, ultra simple or heavily carved. Choose frame material of the antique wall mirrors embellished with leaves, flowers, semi precious stones, marble or colored glass.

The size of the frame of the antique wall mirrors: The size of the frame of the antique wall mirrors should complement to the size of the furniture in the room. The size of the frame of the antique wall mirrors should not dominate the furniture in the room. Antique wall mirrors can be grouped with some other paintings or scones if they are narrow. If the antique wall mirrors are longer than broader they can be vertically hanged over a chest or console. If the antique wall mirrors are large, long or vertical they can be hanged singularly without any furniture below them. Antique wall mirrors can be grouped with framed art, porcelain plates or figurines. If an antique wall mirror is of medium size, place it over a dresser, chest or table. Antique wall mirrors can be grouped if they are tiny with inventive frames. Choose antique wall mirrors in steel gray or metallic colors like copper and bronze, amber or jewel-stone to complement to the mood of the room and the furniture in it.

Antique wall mirrors can be plain or colored:

* Clear glass of an antique wall mirror reflects only what is put in front of it and is acceptable in almost any setting.
* Darkened, splotched or antique-looking antique wall mirror backing imparts a mysterious effect to the setting.
* Antique wall mirrors with colored glass of metallic copper, brass or grays suit contemporary homes.
* Antique wall mirrors in copper colored glass gives the setting a western look.
* Gray antique wall mirrors framed in driftwood give your home a country or beach house feel.

Alhambra Antiques imports a large variety of French Antique and Italian Antique Mirrors for the home.French Antique Mirrors and Antique Mirrors imported from France.