Antique Venetian Rococo Sconces, Crystal & Glass, Italy, Circa 1800
Located in New Orleans, LA
Pair of exquisite Venetian sconces formed with cartouche shaped mirrored back, outlined with glass beads, three iron arms lined with glass beads and linked with crystal swags and dro...
Crystal
Set of Three Venetian Rococo Pieces, One Console Table and Two Night Sands
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Patinated wood, gold leaf and mirror three piece set of Venetian rococo console table and night stands.
Gold Leaf
1950s Round Venetian Etched Rope Burgundy Art Glass Mirrored Tray Bronze Handles
By Venini, Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Barovier
Located in Miami, FL
1950s Mid-Century Modern Etched Murano Art Glass mirrored tray with burgundy, transparent Glass Rope Border and bronze handles. Beautiful Italian Barware, Serving or vanity tray, wit...
Crystal, Bronze
Impressive 18th Century Italian Venetian Walnut Secretaire
Located in San Francisco, CA
An impressive and unusually tall Venetian black walnut and burled walnut secretary. The mirrored top cabinet doors opening to reveal a multi drawer fitted interior, having a drop fro...
Mirror, Walnut
Venetian Murano Glass Tray/ Plate With Engravings, 24K Gold Flakes, IT ca. 1960
By Ercole Barovier
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Lovely mid century Murano mirrored glass tray/ plate with gilt handles from the 1960s in Italy. Artfully designed, this beautiful Murano mirror tray impresses with a roccoco styled, ...
Metal
Vintage mirrors have long been a measure of craftsmanship, from gilded Rococo frames to the sunburst shapes that became a signature of mid-century design.
Styles to Know
An arched or sunburst mirror reads more decorative, while a plain rectangular frame lets the room around it stand out. Hang one above a vintage vanity or a mid-century modern dresser, or lean a larger floor mirror against the wall as a standalone piece.
How to Choose the Right Vintage Mirror
Foxing and an aged frame usually read as character rather than damage, worth weighing against a listing's condition notes. For placement ideas, our 12 dramatic mirrors feature is a good place to start. Each piece comes from a vetted 1stDibs seller, with era and designer on record, and the 1stDibs Promise covers each purchase.
While polished metal mirrors have existed since ancient times, glass Venetian mirrors are thought to have first been produced on the Venetian island of Murano, in Italy, beginning in the 1500s (some research points to 1300 for Venetian mirrors). Set in ornate frames frequently bedecked with gold highlights or floral leaf designs, Venetian glass mirrors were handmade by artisans using refined, expert techniques for royalty and for members of the upper class. By the 17th century, Venetian mirrors were in high demand. Because antique Venetian glass mirrors are still very popular today, there are many knockoffs on the market. Today’s authentic Venetian mirrors are still produced only on the island of Murano.
Regular glass cleaners don’t contain that much vinegar. This means that these cleaners are good for mild cleansing, but for antique glass Venetian mirrors, which tend to get cloudy, a more thorough way to clean is to use only white vinegar. Dampen a clean soft cloth with a solution of white vinegar and water (one part vinegar to two parts water) and apply to your Venetian glass mirror. After you’ve cleaned your Venetian mirror with vinegar, clean the mirror with warm water on a soft cloth in order to get rid of the vinegar smell. Alternatively, if you have difficulty with the smell of vinegar, use rubbing alcohol instead (but be sure that you’re only applying these methods to the glass rather than the frame).
Repairs and replacements can go toward devaluing any piece of antique or vintage furniture, and any modifications or repairs done to a centuries-old mirror should be handled by experts and executed with care. Because antique Venetian mirrors were handcrafted by Italian artisans and can in some cases be hundreds of years old, it is strongly recommended that you consult with experts in the field of restoring antique or decorative mirrors in the event that your piece should require restorative work.
Ornate and elegant, Venetian mirrors obviously have their practical uses for any room in your house or apartment, but these works, which were handcrafted by skilled artisans on the Venetian island of Murano, in Italy, for centuries, are versatile. Given the broad array of shapes and sizes in which antique Venetian glass mirrors can be found — as well as the variety of designs — these mirrors can also be utilized as a decorative focal point, as if you’re hanging a painting or positioning a sculpture to brighten an otherwise drab corner of your home. Antique Venetian mirrors can be used in formal dining settings, where the opportunity for reflecting chandelier light or natural light from large windows is present, or even a bathroom, where the piece can be as useful as it is tasteful.