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A traditional mirror is a sheet of glass that
is coated on one side with silver or aluminum to produce images
by reflection. Early mirrors from ancient Rome or Greece were
simply discs of polished metal, usually bronze or silver. In
16th century Venice, a refined process for applying a thin layer
of metal to one side of a flat piece of glass was developed and
quickly spread. The metal used was generally a combination of
tin and mercury. In 1835, Justus von Liebig invented a more
efficient, chemical process, of coating the glass with a
metallic silver. This was the foundation for processes that are
used today in mirror making. Modern mirror making involves an
application of a thin layer of molten aluminum or silver onto
the glass in a vacuum.
There can be numerous variations in mirror
surfaces. Today, convex mirrors are
still popular as decorative accessories. It is reported that
they were originally used in dining rooms so that servants could
respond to the diner's requests by watching for signals in the
mirror, rather than looking directly at the diners while they
ate. Other mirror surface shapes include spherical, cylindrical,
paraboloidal, ellipsoidal and hyperboloidal. Spherical mirrors
produce magnified or reduced images and are often used for
compacts or in automobiles. Paraboloidal mirrors are used for
focusing parallel rays of light, as in telescopes or
searchlights.
The first mirrors where held in the hand and
often had a handle. Large mirrors for viewing the entire body
were first seen in the 1st century AD. The first hand held
mirrors were more than just functional. They were ornamental and
treated as objects of value similarly to jewelry. They were
widespread in Europe during the Middle Ages.
The Renaissance brought elaborately stylized
mirror frames. Venice and Nürnberg were reputed as centers for
mirror production. Venetian mirrors were praised for their high
quality. By the mid 17th century, London and Paris had also
become large producers of quality mirrors. During the 16th, 17th
and 18th centuries, mirrors were seen as high technology, works
of art. The higher quality mirrors with sculpted or carved
frames were very expensive, and out of reach for most common
folk.
From the late 16th century forward, ornately
decorated framed mirrors became an important part of a room's
decor. Early frames were carved of ivory or tortoiseshell, cast
in bronze or silver, or carved of a variety of woods. Often, a
basic wood foundation frame was constructed and a layer of gesso
was applied. The gesso was then sculpted into exquisite,
ornately shaped elements.
For the wood and
gesso frames,
a variety of finishes were applied. The fine wood frames would
often be finished with a stain and shellac. The gesso frames
would receive a hand applied
silver or
gold leaf.
These highly ornamental frames would
often be designed and produced as part of a complete room set or
ensemble.
Increasing mirrors became preferable to or
complementary to paintings or other wall art for
foyers,
over mantels
or as vanities.
In 18th century America, there were derivation of traditional
European styles.
Colonial and
federal furniture styles became prominent, along with
numerous varieties of
Eagle
mirrors.
Today, there are ever growing varieties of
decorative mirror designs. Mirror frames are being built with
combinations of sea shells, beading, broken tiles, wicker, and so
on. From streamlined, minimalist, contemporary frames to highly
stylized traditional works, mirrors continue to be cherished
focal points of any interior decor. |