19th century and later glass framed Venetian / Murano wall and overmantle mirrors

Small handheld or wall mirrors were not made in England until the beginning of the 17th century. Until then, most were imported from Venice. The celebrated Vauxhall glasshouses were opened in the 1660s.

At first, hand blown techniques were used, but the glass showed a great many imperfections, particularly when used for mirror making. Glass casting, where the molten glass was poured on to a bed of hot metal and rolled, was introduced in France in the later 17th century, but it was not until 1773 that the British Plate Glass Company was incorporated. From then on this glass tended more... to supplant the French imports.

Initially the mirrored pieces were relatively small and a large carved frame frequently had to incorporate glazing bars to accommodate several pieces of glass. After the mid-18th century improved techniques meant that large plates could be produced, and one supplied by Chippendale measured 231cm by 146cm.

Bevelling techniques, in which the edge of the plate glass was ground to a forty-five degree angle and polished, were not used on a wide scale until after 1750. Thereafter, most mirrors were bevelled until recently when the cost involved made it largely uneconomic.

From the early 19th century large numbers of round wall mirrors have been made with convex glass, the frames generally gilded and surmounted with an eagle or other trophy. While such pieces originally date from the Classical Revival period they have been made until modern times.

Though mirror backs are referred to as being 'silvered', silver was not used until the mid-19th century. Before that, an amalgam of tinfoil and mercury was used. In 1840 the process was invented whereby a thin coat of silver was applied to the glass by chemical means. Up until about 15 years ago, it was possible to have mirrors re-silvered, but this is now illegal, as it has been realised that the mercury and tin backing found on antique mirrors can damage heart, kidneys, lungs, brain and immune system.

Nowadays if a mirror is in poor condition it is replaced rather than resilvered. This is accepted practice for Victorian and later pieces, but for Georgian and earlier mirrors, the value is substantially depreciated if the mirror has been replaced or re-silvered. The consensus is that it is far better to learn to live with a mirror even if the reflection is somewhat worn and rubbed, than remove the main evidence that the piece is an antique.

An overmantle mirror is large framed, carved and often gilt plate-glass mirror attached to the wall above a mantelpiece. In Australia the term more usually describes a wooden frame containing several small mirrors and shelves supported by spindles that, during the later Victorian period and certainly by the Edwardian age, had largely replaced the single mirror above fireplaces. It was an age that liked indeed needed many small shelves to display the countless household knick-knacks. less...

The history of Venetian and Murano glass dates back over 1,000 years. Venice was an important center for glassmaking in the Middle Ages, and by the 13th century, the city had established itself as the leading producer of glass in Europe.

During the Renaissance, the art of Venetian glassmaking reached its peak, with artisans producing some of the most exquisite glassware in the world. One of the most important innovations of this time was the development of cristallo, a type of clear glass that was almost as transparent as crystal. Cristallo was prized for its clarity and brilliance, and more... it quickly became a symbol of wealth and luxury.

In the 16th century, Venetian glassmakers faced a challenge when the city passed a law requiring all glass furnaces to be moved to the island of Murano. The law was passed in response to the risk of fire, which was high due to the wooden buildings in Venice. Despite the inconvenience of having to move their furnaces, Venetian glassmakers continued to thrive on Murano and continued to innovate.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, Murano glassmakers developed new techniques, such as filigrana, which involved creating delicate, twisted glass threads, and zanfirico, which involved weaving together threads of colored glass. These techniques were used to create intricate patterns and designs, and they remain some of the most iconic styles of Venetian and Murano glass.

In the 19th century, Murano glass experienced a decline due to competition from other countries, such as France and England, which were producing cheaper glassware. However, in the early 20th century, a revival of Murano glass began, due in part to the efforts of artist and designer Vittorio Zecchin, who worked to modernize and streamline the production of Murano glass.

After World War II, Murano glass experienced a resurgence in popularity, with artists and designers from around the world flocking to Murano to learn from the masters of the craft. Murano glass is still produced using traditional techniques, with artisans using a combination of heat, blowing, and moulding to create exquisite pieces of glassware.

One of the most famous types of Murano glass is Venetian millefiori, which involves creating intricate patterns by fusing together small, colored glass rods. The process is time-consuming and requires great skill, but the resulting pieces are breathtakingly beautiful.

Another product from Murano glass are Venetian glass chandeliers. These magnificent pieces are made by combining hundreds or even thousands of individual glass pieces to create a stunning, multi-tiered chandelier. Venetian glass chandeliers are prized for their beauty and elegance, and they remain one of the most iconic examples of Murano glass.

Murano glass remains an important part of Venetian culture and history. Visitors to the island can tour the various glass factories and watch as artisans create intricate pieces of glassware by hand. less...