Espejos antiguos Antiguo Barroco, rococó

Baroque Antique Mirrors

Nothing adds style to your decor like an antique wall mirror. The Baroque period spanned from about 1600 to 1750 in Western Europe, and during this time, there was an explosion of decorative art and furniture. Baroque art has a heavy handed approach to decoration and adornment. Silver and gold leaf detailing turns wood frames into ornate masterpieces, with mirrored glass often gaining a patina that only comes with the beauty of age. Often known as French mirrors or Italian mirrors, they are instantly recognizable for their elaborate frames. A functional, yet artistic addition to decor, a Baroque-style mirror adds a touch of yesteryear to your vanity, entryway, or general decor.

Which Styles of Baroque Antique Mirrors Are Available?

Mirrors from the Baroque era use carved wood in order to achieve the exuberant style of the frame. Rococo, which was an expression at the late end of the era, contains more intense decorations with heavily detailed carvings and embellishments.

  • The Renaissance period, particularly in Italy, placed a focus on gilt and lacquer, and as a consequence, most frames contain paint in silver, gold, or a shiny lacquer of black, white, or ivory.
  • Metal frame mirrors are also common, featuring vines, arches, and floral details.
  • Venetian glass mirrors reflect Baroque, Gothic, and Moorish influences, while their characteristic multi-faceted glass offers a sparkling play on light. Their intricate designs turn a wall mirror into a piece of art.

Can I Buy Modern Reproductions of Antique Mirrors?

Modern Baroque reproductions are often a sensible option for those who may not wish to outlay for a vintage item, or for those in high activity homes who are concerned about potential damage to a priceless antique. Many mirror frames marketed as antique are in fact ornate modern reproductions.

  • Reproductions often look just as lovely as the originals from the Baroque era. Machine carving from lightweight woods, or even plastic injection mold frames, allow accurate detailing of the frame.
  • Modern mirror technologies have improvements to mirror glass with details like beveled edges, oval shapes, and the reflective properties are significantly stronger than their antique counterparts.

Do Baroque And Antique Mirrors Require Special Care?

Like any antique item, you should take extra care when handling so as not to damage potentially fragile or expensive components. Makers of genuine mirrors from the Baroque period hand crafted them to a very high quality. However, with age, the wood and paint or gilded effects can become fragile; however, general care of a mirror requires little effort.

  • You should dust or wipe an antique wood with a soft, slightly damp cloth to remove dust.
  • Clean mirrors with a drop of methylated spirits and a damp cloth.
  • Take extra care to ensure no moisture gets behind the mirror and onto the silver backing. This creates foxing, the erosion of the reflective properties of the mirror.

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