A wall mirror is a mirror designed to hang on a wall, as opposed to a dressing or toilet mirror that stands on a table or a cheval mirror that stands on the floor. Antique wall mirrors include pier glasses, overmantel mirrors, convex mirrors, girandoles and simpler framed looking glasses for halls and bedrooms.
Mirror glass was a costly luxury in England until well into the eighteenth century, and early plates were relatively small, often made up of several pieces. Frames followed the fashions of their day, from carved and gilded Baroque and Rococo designs to Neoclassical oval and rectangular frames with urns, swags and husks, Regency convex mirrors topped by eagles, and Victorian gilt gesso overmantels. Collectors value original mercury or early silvered plates, which show characteristic soft grey reflections and foxing, along with original gilding and carving. Bevelled edges, the colour of the glass, the construction of the backboards and the method of fixing the plate all help with dating. A good wall mirror can transform a room by reflecting light and adding architectural presence, and large antique mirrors above chimneypieces and between windows remain central to country-house decoration.
