For many years the mirror was a rare and vastly expensive item, and today it is difficult to appreciate just how prized and important mirror glass once was. Mirrors have been used for thousands of years. They were believed to foretell the future and to bring bad luck, especially when broken. Many people thought that to see your reflection was to see your soul.
The earliest known mirrors were made of bronze, and sometimes silver and gold. But it was not until the middle Ages that it was possible to create flat colourless glass known as Crystallo, this glass was developed in Venice in the 15th century. The commercial importance of this discovery prompted the Venetian authorities to forbid glass makers to leave their headquarters on the island of Murano on pain of death.
However by the end of the 17th Century large pieces of glass were being made using the casting method and this enabled larger mirrors to be created and they became the focal point for the room, reflecting light around what were previously very dark homes. Fashionable country homes were furnished with fine mirrors, in 1703 the Duke of Devonshire, commissioned three metre (10feet) high mirrors decorated with blue glass for Chatsworth.
Due to their size and the versatility of frame carving,mirrors were one of the first household objects to reflect fashion. At the start of the 18th century lacquer panelling was favoured then came Rococo frames, Chinoiserie, C -scrolls and foliage. Now mirrors are considered to add the finishing touch to any home, so when you’re choosing the perfect mirror you should consider what you want it to do and how it will influence your space. Tall, slim wall mirrors are great for narrow corridors and hallways, and large, ornate mirrors like our Apollo Mirrors and Bubble Mirror will make a room seem much more grand.
If you don’t have room for a big mirror, consider adding a few such as our Oculus Mirror or decorative shapes like our Gaudi Mirror or Bubblegum Pink Mirror to give the illusion of light and space without demanding too much wall space. Mirrors can be fun and a talking point for guests. Our Sunburst Mirror and Window Mirror are among our most popular designs for creating interest.
