More than just an object among many, the ancient baroque mirror is a staple of the decorative arts. He also appropriates the decorative grammar of each era.
In each era its style of mirror. Today, industrial and Scandinavian design is the characterization. But at the beginning of the 20th century, it was the Baroque style that was the order of the day. So, if you want to reintegrate this style into your home, you can very well accommodate a baroque mirror.
Where to find it and how to recognize it? We're answering all your questions here.
How do I know if a mirror is old?
The ornamental mirror is an exquisite addition to your living room. It is a decorative item par excellence, but also a real art that allows to add a little extra to the decoration of the house. Suspended in style above the fireplace, it keeps in silence its secrets, installed on the entrance hall, it allows the household to correct the appearance before going out. Nothing better than a large mirror in the room to get ready in the morning.
And besides, mirrors exist for all tastes and styles. But have you ever thought about getting an old mirror? Pricelessly valuable, a baroque mirror would have its origins in Italian palaces and castles. Today the style is again very trendy and allows to break a little decoration a little too modern of our interiors. Such a mirror is worth gold and more than a diamond.
But it must be admitted that not everyone knows how to recognize it, especially at the moment when the style and reworked and increasingly widespread in the trade. If you cannot be accompanied by an expert who knows the values of a baroque mirror and its history, it is necessary to know some criteria of an ancient mirror.
So where do you start? The first step in determining the age of a baroque mirror is to discover the time in which it was made. A thorough inspection is then necessary to gather sufficient information about the object.
You should also know that the back of a baroque mirror speaks volumes about its age and origins. Instead of paper, its back is mostly made of wood. The fasteners are hand-forged and the screws and hooks conform to the time. Also, it is necessary to check the frame carefully, because it must have some imperfections, unlike modern models designed with machines.
The frame of an old mirror is made of wood, the sculptures are carved wood, unlike modern mirrors. The gilded wooden models are gilded with leaf, this one with time comes off, unlike the painting.
the mirror's reflection and surface is also a good indicator, the oldest mirrors made with mercury have few reflections and the surfaces are irregular.
What is the price of an old mirror?
The oldest mirrors are often the most expensive, but the frame is a determining factor in its value. The more its frame is worked and sculpted the more expensive it will be, especially them gilded with gold leaf.
For a 17th-century mirror of great size sculpted and enhanced by gilding, the price will be more than 5000 euros, the smallest selling around 1000 euros. Among the rococo ice creams, you'll find Venetian mirrors, true glass masterpieces engraved with motifs of the time these models can be worth tens of thousands of euros for those of the 17th century Murano.
The value of a baroque mirror is mostly sentimental, but its physical value is also quite high. Among the most popular antique furniture, the mirror is more endearing and much more valuable. However, it is not always easy to estimate it at its true value. The process of making mirrors at the time is indeed different today. In the past, it was made from polished stone like obsidian. After a tedious treatment, you get a natural volcanic glass. All this explains the value of this object.
In the Middle Ages, glass mirrors were already a luxury item, because not everyone could afford it. If you want to have such an object in your home, it will still take a fairly high budget. Moreover, its price varies according to several parameters including size, shape, material, time of manufacture, etc. Also a mirror reflects artisanal knowledge, which explains its rather high price. In other words, every detail is definitive of the price.
So, if you are offered an old mirror at an exaggeratedly low price, think twice before you start, because the progress of making the lenses greatly reduces their cost and defects. This does not mean that all expensive mirrors are real ones. Always dwell on the final criteria before validating the purchase. In any case, a real natural stone ice cream that dates back to the last century can cost tens of thousands of euros to buy?
Where to buy an antique baroque mirror?
The easiest way to find a baroque mirror is to multiply online searches. Yes, several websites today specialize in the sale of antiques. You only have to go through the catalogs of these platforms to find the model that suits you the most. However, the risk of falling on fake old mirror is immense on the net. Since you won't be able to touch the object, you won't be sure about its seniority.
To avoid buying a new model thinking it is a baroque mirror of old style, our advice is to buy your item from an antique dealer. These exciting arts and stories collect articles that date and only the real ones. In this way, you will be able to validate the purchase with a serene mind. We must never forget that such a purchase is an investment in its own right. There is no question of hastening the purchase without thinking about it carefully.
But auctions also offer a safer alternative to buying from an antique dealer. The only downside is that these events rarely occur and you have to jump at the opportunity as soon as an offer arises. Also, it will be difficult to set your budget for the purchase since it inevitably depends on the general atmosphere of the participants. Otherwise, auction houses can also present themselves as a great way to buy.
If you want to make a good deal, why not buy a reproduction of a baroque or Louis XVI style mirror, at HTdeco, you are sure to buy a copy of a quality mirror at the best price.