How can I tell a genuine mercury mirror from a modern replacement?

Mercury-backed glass produces a slightly amber or veiled reflection, often with small foxing spots around the edges. Modern silver-nitrate backing looks more uniformly bright. The irregular thickness of hand-blown or hand-cast antique glass is an additional sign of authenticity worth checking.

Are foxing spots on an antique mercury mirror a serious problem?

Light foxing is entirely normal and actually confirms the originality of the mercury backing. It does not significantly affect value when discreet. Extensive detachment or heavy degradation across large areas does reduce the price and may require specialist restoration by a conservator.

What is the price range for an antique mercury mirror?

Prices range from a few hundred euros for a small Napoleon III period mirror to several thousand for a large Louis XV or Louis XVI chimneypiece glass with intact original backing and a fine water-gilded frame. Documented provenance and frame quality are the key value drivers.

Can the mercury backing of an antique mirror be restored?

Yes, specialist gilders and conservators can re-back a mirror, but this reduces authenticity and therefore market value. Retaining the original backing, even imperfect, is generally preferable. For purely decorative use, a partial professional restoration by a qualified conservator is a reasonable option.

How are antique mercury mirrors shipped safely?

Professional dealers use specialist fine-art carriers with custom high-density foam packaging, timber crates and ad valorem insurance. Always ask for written confirmation of the packing method and ensure the declared value matches the purchase price before agreeing to shipment.

Catalogue Dealer Directory Sell on AEF

🇫🇷 Français 🇬🇧 English 🇪🇸 Español 🇮🇹 Italiano 🇩🇪 Deutsch 🇳🇱 Nederlands 🇨🇳 中文 🇷🇺 Русский 🇯🇵 日本語

Art Déco

Art Nouveau

Contemporary Design

Directoire

Empire

French Regency

Gothic

Louis XIII

Louis XIV

Louis XV

Louis XVI

Louis-Philippe

Medieval

Modern Art

Napoléon III

Orientalist

Renaissance

Restauration

Transition

16th century and before

17th century

18th century

19th century

20th century

-Corner cupboards

-Four doors cupboards

-One door cupboards

-Small cupboard

-Two doors cupboards

High cupboards

Antique jewelery

Antique mirrors

Mercury mirror Murano mirror Trumeau venitian mirror

Antique Photography

Antique tables

Card Table Consoles Farmhouse tables Low tables Monestry tables Occasional tables Pedestal table Round tables

Antique tapestry

Antique textiles

Lacework

Antique wheapons

Antiquites industrielles

Architectural elements

Bathroom elements Doors Fire places Flooring Garden furniture Stairs Tiles Wood panelling

Bedroom suites

Beds Bedside tables

Billiard

Lighting

Bookcases

Bronze

Animal bronzes

Cabinets

Cartonnier

Ceramics

Chinaware earthenware Pottery Азиатская фаянсовая посуда

Chest of drawers

Commode arbalete Commode sauteuse Commode tombeau Military chests Pine chests of drawers

Chests

Clocks

Clocks Wristwatch

Decorative furniture

Decorative objects

Dressers

Dressing tables

English furniture

English chests of drawers English wardrobes

Fairground art

Fishing-Hunting

Glassware

Glazed cabinets

Hallstand

Kitchenelia

Miscellaneous

Advertising aeronautica Miniatures Musical instruments Old tools Sport memorabilia Taxidermy Vineyard antique

Nautical antiques

Model boats Objects

Oeuvres d'art

Primitive Art Sacred art

Old documents

Antique Drawings Livres anciens

Old Frame

Old toys

Oriental furniture

Desks Oriental cupboards Seating

Oriental objects

Painted furniture

Paintings

Pens & writting

Writting box

Pewter

Posters

Advertising posters Cinema posters

Pottery

Scientific instruments

Antique barometers Chronometers Globes Octants Sextants

Sculptures

Seating

Armchairs Chairs Chaises longues Fauteuil bergère Fauteuil cabriolet Fauteuil chesterfield Fauteuil crapaud Fauteuil dagobert Fauteuil voltaire Leather armchairs Sofas Stools

Shop fittings

Sideboard

Silverware

Argent massif Métal argenté

Tableware

Vineyard antiques

Vintage luggage

Wardrobes

Armoires Pine cupboards Wedding armoire

工业古董

Catalogue Dealer Directory Sell on AEF Log in Sign up

Language

🇫🇷 Français 🇬🇧 English 🇪🇸 Español 🇮🇹 Italiano 🇩🇪 Deutsch 🇳🇱 Nederlands 🇨🇳 中文 🇷🇺 Русский 🇯🇵 日本語

Antique Mercury Mirrors

49 objects found

Condition

Period

No matching tags

16th century and before 17th century 18th century 19th century 20th century

Style

No matching tags

Art Déco Art Nouveau Contemporary Design Directoire Empire French Regency Gothic Louis XIII Louis XIV Louis XV Louis XVI Louis-Philippe Medieval Modern Art Napoléon III Orientalist Renaissance Restauration Transition

Category 1

No matching tags

-Corner cupboards

-Four doors cupboards

-One door cupboards

-Small cupboard

-Two doors cupboards ▸

High cupboards

Antique jewelery

Antique mirrors

Antique mirrors ▸

Mercury mirror Murano mirror Trumeau venitian mirror

Antique Photography

Antique tables ▸

Card Table Consoles Farmhouse tables Low tables Monestry tables Occasional tables Pedestal table Round tables

Antique tapestry

Antique textiles ▸

Lacework

Antique wheapons

Antiquites industrielles

Architectural elements ▸

Bathroom elements Doors Fire places Flooring Garden furniture Stairs Tiles Wood panelling

Bedroom suites ▸

Beds Bedside tables

Billiard ▸

Lighting

Bookcases

Bronze ▸

Animal bronzes

Cabinets

Cartonnier

Ceramics ▸

Chinaware earthenware Pottery 亚洲陶器

Chest of drawers ▸

Commode arbalete Commode sauteuse Commode tombeau Military chests Pine chests of drawers

Chests

Clocks ▸

Clocks Wristwatch

Decorative furniture

Decorative objects

Dressers

Dressing tables

English furniture ▸

English chests of drawers English wardrobes

Fairground art

Fishing-Hunting

Glassware

Glazed cabinets

Hallstand

Kitchenelia

Miscellaneous ▸

Advertising aeronautica Miniatures Musical instruments Old tools Sport memorabilia Taxidermy Vineyard antique

Nautical antiques ▸

Model boats Objects

Oeuvres d'art ▸

Primitive Art Sacred art

Old documents ▸

Antique Drawings Livres anciens

Old Frame

Old toys

Oriental furniture ▸

Desks Oriental cupboards Seating

Oriental objects

Painted furniture

Paintings

Pens & writting ▸

Writting box

Pewter

Posters ▸

Advertising posters Cinema posters

Pottery

Scientific instruments ▸

Antique barometers Chronometers Globes Octants Sextants

Sculptures

Seating ▸

Armchairs Chairs Chaises longues Fauteuil bergère Fauteuil cabriolet Fauteuil chesterfield Fauteuil crapaud Fauteuil dagobert Fauteuil voltaire Leather armchairs Sofas Stools

Shop fittings

Sideboard

Silverware ▸

Argent massif Métal argenté

Tableware

Vineyard antiques

Vintage luggage

Wardrobes ▸

Armoires Pine cupboards Wedding armoire

工业古董

Material

No matching tags

Bois ▸

Acajou Bambou Bois doré Bois laqué Bois peint Bois sculpté Chêne Ébène Frêne Hêtre Merisier Noyer Olivier Palissandre

Céramique ▸

Biscuit de porcelaine Delft Émail Faïence Grès Majolique Porcelaine Terre cuite

Cuir & Peau ▸

Cuir Cuir doré Maroquin Parchemin

Matières composites ▸

Bois & bronze Bois & marbre Boulle (écaille & laiton) Carton-pâte Marqueterie Papier mâché

Matières organiques ▸

Cire Corne Écaille de tortue Ivoire Nacre Os Plume

Métal ▸

Acier Argent Bronze Cuivre Étain Fer forgé Fonte Laiton Métal argenté Métal doré Or Vermeil Zinc

Pierre & Minéral ▸

Albâtre Ambre Ardoise Corail Granit Malachite Marbre Onyx Pierre calcaire

Textile ▸

Broderie Coton Dentelle Laine Lin Soie Tapisserie Toile peinte Velours

Verre ▸

Cristal Opaline Pâte de verre Verre moulé Verre peint Verre soufflé Verre taillé

Origin

No matching tags

Afrique & Méditerranée ▸

Afrique subsaharienne Algérie Égypte Maroc Tunisie

Amériques ▸

Amérique du Nord Amérique du Sud Antilles

Asie ▸

Chine Inde Indochine Japon Moyen-Orient Perse

Europe de l'Est ▸

Bohème Empire ottoman Hongrie Pologne Russie

Europe du Nord ▸

Allemagne Autriche Belgique Danemark Flandres Pays-Bas Scandinavie Suède Suisse

Europe du Sud ▸

Espagne Italie Naples Portugal Toscane Venise

France ▸

Alsace Auvergne Bordelais Bourgogne Bretagne Île-de-France Languedoc Lorraine Normandie Pays basque Provence Savoie

Îles Britanniques ▸

Angleterre Écosse Irlande Pays de Galles

Sort by

No matching tags

16th century and before 17th century 18th century 19th century 20th century

No matching tags

-Corner cupboards

-Four doors cupboards

-One door cupboards

-Small cupboard

-Two doors cupboards ▸

High cupboards

Antique jewelery

Antique mirrors

Antique mirrors ▸

Mercury mirror Murano mirror Trumeau venitian mirror

Antique Photography

Antique tables ▸

Card Table Consoles Farmhouse tables Low tables Monestry tables Occasional tables Pedestal table Round tables

Antique tapestry

Antique textiles ▸

Lacework

Antique wheapons

Antiquites industrielles

Architectural elements ▸

Bathroom elements Doors Fire places Flooring Garden furniture Stairs Tiles Wood panelling

Bedroom suites ▸

Beds Bedside tables

Billiard ▸

Lighting

Bookcases

Bronze ▸

Animal bronzes

Cabinets

Cartonnier

Ceramics ▸

Chinaware earthenware Pottery 亚洲陶器

Chest of drawers ▸

Commode arbalete Commode sauteuse Commode tombeau Military chests Pine chests of drawers

Chests

Clocks ▸

Clocks Wristwatch

Decorative furniture

Decorative objects

Dressers

Dressing tables

English furniture ▸

English chests of drawers English wardrobes

Fairground art

Fishing-Hunting

Glassware

Glazed cabinets

Hallstand

Kitchenelia

Miscellaneous ▸

Advertising aeronautica Miniatures Musical instruments Old tools Sport memorabilia Taxidermy Vineyard antique

Nautical antiques ▸

Model boats Objects

Oeuvres d'art ▸

Primitive Art Sacred art

Old documents ▸

Antique Drawings Livres anciens

Old Frame

Old toys

Oriental furniture ▸

Desks Oriental cupboards Seating

Oriental objects

Painted furniture

Paintings

Pens & writting ▸

Writting box

Pewter

Posters ▸

Advertising posters Cinema posters

Pottery

Scientific instruments ▸

Antique barometers Chronometers Globes Octants Sextants

Sculptures

Seating ▸

Armchairs Chairs Chaises longues Fauteuil bergère Fauteuil cabriolet Fauteuil chesterfield Fauteuil crapaud Fauteuil dagobert Fauteuil voltaire Leather armchairs Sofas Stools

Shop fittings

Sideboard

Silverware ▸

Argent massif Métal argenté

Tableware

Vineyard antiques

Vintage luggage

Wardrobes ▸

Armoires Pine cupboards Wedding armoire

工业古董

No matching tags

Bois ▸

Acajou Bambou Bois doré Bois laqué Bois peint Bois sculpté Chêne Ébène Frêne Hêtre Merisier Noyer Olivier Palissandre

Céramique ▸

Biscuit de porcelaine Delft Émail Faïence Grès Majolique Porcelaine Terre cuite

Cuir & Peau ▸

Cuir Cuir doré Maroquin Parchemin

Matières composites ▸

Bois & bronze Bois & marbre Boulle (écaille & laiton) Carton-pâte Marqueterie Papier mâché

Matières organiques ▸

Cire Corne Écaille de tortue Ivoire Nacre Os Plume

Métal ▸

Acier Argent Bronze Cuivre Étain Fer forgé Fonte Laiton Métal argenté Métal doré Or Vermeil Zinc

Pierre & Minéral ▸

Albâtre Ambre Ardoise Corail Granit Malachite Marbre Onyx Pierre calcaire

Textile ▸

Broderie Coton Dentelle Laine Lin Soie Tapisserie Toile peinte Velours

Verre ▸

Cristal Opaline Pâte de verre Verre moulé Verre peint Verre soufflé Verre taillé

No matching tags

Afrique & Méditerranée ▸

Afrique subsaharienne Algérie Égypte Maroc Tunisie

Amériques ▸

Amérique du Nord Amérique du Sud Antilles

Asie ▸

Chine Inde Indochine Japon Moyen-Orient Perse

Europe de l'Est ▸

Bohème Empire ottoman Hongrie Pologne Russie

Europe du Nord ▸

Allemagne Autriche Belgique Danemark Flandres Pays-Bas Scandinavie Suède Suisse

Europe du Sud ▸

Espagne Italie Naples Portugal Toscane Venise

France ▸

Alsace Auvergne Bordelais Bourgogne Bretagne Île-de-France Languedoc Lorraine Normandie Pays basque Provence Savoie

Îles Britanniques ▸

Angleterre Écosse Irlande Pays de Galles

Period mercury glass mirrors selected by professional antique dealers

49 objects found

Sold

LOUIS XV STYLE MIRROR

L’ESTAMPILLE — Navilly

1 800,00 €

Previous 1 2 3

The reference for antiques and art objects in France. Buy from selected professional dealers.

Navigation

Home
Catalogue
Dealer Directory
Sell on AEF

Information

About us
Contact us
Privacy policy
Legal notice
Terms of service

Marketplace dedicated to antique dealers and decorative arts professionals in France.

Cookies

We use cookies and services required for the site (session, security), Google Maps, and reCAPTCHA. Traffic statistics (Google Analytics) are optional and off by default. Privacy policy.

Essential for the site

Session, security (CSRF), preferences...

Traffic statistics