Antique Mirrors Originating in France

From the large to the small, and the ornate to the simple, mirrors in historical France have undergone many, many changes. A lot of the design scheme of these mirrors had to do with their function. For instance, a hand mirror would be much smaller than a wall mirror.

Shaving Mirrors
Shaving mirrors were very popular in the 1800s and were used almost exclusively by men. Usually made of bronze or wood, these mirrors featured hinges that allowed them to be moved. This innovation of movement was very convenient for men when shaving; it allowed them to view different areas of their faces. Because these mirrors were used by men, they were not overly ornate. A bit of gilt and some etchings were the norm. These mirrors were rather small, usually 18 inches by 7 inches.

Vanity Mirrors
Vanity mirrors were, in essence, the sister to shaving mirrors. Usually mounted on a woman's vanity table, these mirrors were also set on hinges which allowed movement. These mirrors came in a range of shapes and sizes, from mid sized oval mirrors to very large mirrors with waved edges. These mirrors were usually made of gold or silver, though there were some wooden models. The mirrors were generally decorated with complicated curlicues or carvings along the edges.

Hand Mirrors
Hand mirrors were some of the most unique and beautiful mirrors of antique France. These mirrors were rather small and some were extremely embellished. The interesting about these mirrors was that young ladies would usually custom order these mirrors according to their own tastes. Some mirrors are simple silver affairs, with just a bit of etching on the back of the mirror. Others are larger monstrosities with gold moldings that must have made the mirrors hard to hold. When looking at these antiques you can get great insight into the previous owner's personality, which is an extraordinary thing.

Wall Mounted Mirrors
Wall mounted mirrors were probably the most common in historic France. These ostentatious mirrors were often hung in a parlor or common room as a display of wealth. Naturally, these mirrors were much more ornate and decorated than mirrors used for personal purposes. Many of these mirrors were circular in shape, though some were rectangular, square, or even waved. Many early mirrors included places in the moldings and carvings to place candles, a handy convenience when the sun went down.

Full Length Mirrors
Full length mirrors were actually not very popular in France. This makes these antiques rather hard to find and unusual. While some were made of wood, these mirrors were overwhelmingly made of metals, namely bronze. These mirrors were commonly supported by claw legs or mid sized stands.