In the classic fairy tale Snow White, the stepmother’s infamous refrain, “Mirror, mirror on the wall,” is suggestive of more than her vanity. It demonstrates the importance of mirrors for both practical and decorative purposes throughout history, especially among the very wealthy who could afford the luxury of a wall mirror.

History of Mirrors

LM1997

Mirrors from Greco-Roman antiquity and the European Middle Ages were relatively small, simply-constructed and hand held. Slightly convex, these first mirrors were highly-polished metal disks, typically bronze, silver or tin.

By the 16th century, Venetian craftsmen introduced a method of backing flat glass plates with a reflective amalgam of tin and mercury. In 1835, Justus von Liebig discovered the chemical process of coating a glass surface with metallic silver, the basis of modern methods.

While mirrors were still extremely expensive by the mid-17th century, the profusion of intricate wall mirrors in the palace at Versailles and other notable residences conveyed a sense of wonderment, and decidedly shifted the mirror from the realm of the utilitarian to works of art in their own right.

Beginning in the late 17th century, mirrors and their increasingly diverse and intricate frames—made of ivory, silver, ebony, tortoiseshell, needlework, beadwork, and veneers of walnut, olive or laburnum marquetry—were increasingly important to room decoration. During this period, highly skilled craftsmen, like Grinling Gibbons, often produced elaborately carved mirror frames, featuring fruit, foliage and fowl, to complement a decorative ensemble.

As large overmantels (mirrors enclosed in glass frames over fireplace mantels) become more popular, designers such as English brothers Robert and James Adam created elaborate mirrored fireplace units.

By the end of the 18th century, hand carved mirror frames gave way to painted frames, often enhanced with floral or other classical ornamentation. During the same period, French craftsmen began producing circular mirrors with Neoclassical gilt frames and candlesticks, which were hugely popular into the 19th century.

By the 1800s, improvements to mirror making led to the introduction of cheval glass, a freestanding full length mirror used for dressing purposes, along with the incorporation of mirrors into all types of furniture, such as wardrobes and sideboards, and spaces, from homes to public environments.

Hand Carved Mirrors Today
With such a venerable, decorative history, today’s mirrors can create truly artistic and reflective interiors. However, with the mass market’s prevalence, only the finest manufacturers invest in creating heirloom quality, hand carved mirrors. As such, Maitland-Smith is proud to present the exquisite La Barge brand, sought by the most discerning customers of fine home accessories.

La Barge, well-known for its expertly crafted furnishings, creates meticulously designed pieces, often hand wrought, that are as breathtakingly beautiful as they are functional. Steeped in the rich history of hand carved decorative mirrors, La Barge’s expert artisans, the best in this elite trade, use time-honored tools and techniques to transform natural materials into stunning objects of art.

For instance, consider the classic Renaissance Revival style of the La Barge hand carved strap work mirror frame, with a warm fruitwood finish and hand applied antique gold metal leaf (LM1997.) You might be seeking out a more ornate Baroque style, featuring elaborate crest openwork, interlacing scrolls and beautifully carved acanthus leaves (LM2322.) Whatever your preference, be it chic metropolitan, classic traditional or royal elegance, La Barge offers the finest interpretations of masterworks both past and present, for today’s most elegant homes.

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Additional resource: http://www.mirrorresilvering.com/a_brief_history_of_mirrors.htm