Mirrors

The process for making mirror glass was perfected in Venice in the 16th century, by coating a thin sheet of glass in a layer of liquid tin and mercury to create reflection. The process remained the same until the 19th century, but the style of antique mirror frames evolved. In the 17th century, mirror frames were made of carved wood, marquetry, lacquer panels, and even solid silver. Throughout the 18th century carved gilt frames were popular in the Palladian, Rococo and Neoclassical tastes, with designers like Kent, Chippendale and Adam through to convex mirrors in the Regency period.