Very old bevelled mirror to be replaced

andy_parks · Post by **andy_parks** » Sun 28 Oct, 2007 10:42 pm

Dear Framers’ Forum,

I have a customer who has a very old, two piece framed mirror. The mirror is in two pieces and one piece just sits on top of the other. Both pieces are bevelled but only on three sides. It looks as if it might have originally been one mirror and someone has “bodged” two mirrors to make the one big one. The customer’s grand children knocked the frame off the wall and the top piece has broken. The mirror measures about 17" X 15" and has a 1.25" bevel. I know that it is fairly easy to get a new bevelled mirror cut to size but the customer specifically requested if the mirror could be aged to match the other half! This I suspect is impossible, however does anyone have any idea if this is indeed possible and where might I get one done like this? I have a piece of the broken mirror and it has a bright silver backing to it, which I suspect is an indication of how old it is. There are also tell tale black marks within the mirror suggesting that it is probably well over 70 if perhaps not 100 years old but I am not entirely sure of this. Can anyone help? I thought I might try Glass and Mirror as well but I expect they can only supply a nice shiny new one. It would be pretty easy to cut the fourth side off another mirror if it had the right width but this is also a very long shot. Anyway, any help is very much appreciated on another “mission impossible” task on the Framers’ Forum!
Kindest Regards,
Andy Parks.

Lemon_Drop · Post by **Lemon_Drop** » Sun 28 Oct, 2007 11:25 pm

Hi Andy
The silver on the back of the mirror is paint to protect the layer of silver that was sprayed onto the glass.
Where you see the black marks is where the backing layer got damaged over the years and did not protect the silver layer anymore.

As the mirror itself is not that big, it might be an idea to buy an old mirror from a antique / junk shop and get it bevelled.

Most glass companys would do this for you. Thats what I would do, at least it might not be a perfect match, but would be alot better than a new mirror.

I suspect that being so old, the mirror itself is 6mm, the size of the bevel is easy to match.

Just an idea.

realhotglass · Post by **realhotglass** » Mon 29 Oct, 2007 12:33 am

Yeah Andy,

I suspect LemonDrops suggestion regarding finding a piece of existing spoiled mirror might be best . . . even better, get the client to muck about finding the piece he likes, then he can bring it to you to have cut, bevelled, and stuck back on.

Repro aged silvering is possible, we do it here for some pieces http://www.tudorglass.com.au/images/ant ... ing_lr.jpg . . . but to trying to match some existing deterioration is just about impossible.

There is a fellow in Wales that I've supplied convex glass to in the past . . . he has a method (that he's shared with me) to repro spoiled mercury mirror, but this is probably a lot different to your clients piece, from your description it's the usual black spotting (esp near the edges) caused mainly by moisture.

Stick the new (old) mirror the the bottom piece with neutral cure silicone, just some 1/4" dia spots every 4" square is plenty, and let it dry a few days.

andy_parks · Post by **andy_parks** » Mon 05 Nov, 2007 8:55 pm

Hi Guys,

Thank you very much for your replies. I now have my customer looking out for an old mirror to suit. That was a great suggestion because this puts the ball in her court so to speak in finding a match! Brilliant. Anyway, I shall let you know how she gets on and report back on the end result. Thanks again. What a brilliant foum this is? I only wish I had more knowledge to help others out.

Kindest Regards.

Andy Parks