Venetian Glass Mirrors: Jewels in the Home
Beautiful Venetian glass mirrors...wherever they are used, they are the shining stars of the room. The history of the Venetian mirror can be traced to the early 16th century, when mirrors were created for a strictly functional purpose: to assist with illumination. Today we enjoy them for their sheer beauty, and function is almost an afterthought.
True Venetian glass is made in Venice, Italy, primarily on the island of Murano. The glass made in Murano is world renowned for its quality. The mirrors you see today are usually reproductions of the Venetian mirror.
A Venetian mirror can transform any room. They look especially beautiful when paired with an elegant dressing table.
A Venetian mirror can transform any room. They look especially beautiful when paired with an elegant dressing table.
Venetian glass mirrors come in many sizes. They are usually quite elaborate, with beautiful layers and gorgeous etching.
Venetian mirrors don't normally have a frame. Instead, their beautiful shape and etched design acts as the frame.
This isn't a Venetian mirror, but I can't help but think it was inspired by them. Many Venetian mirrors have similar floral designs and etching.
Venetian mirrors look great in a foyer or entry. They are rare and precious jewels, drawing the eye with their reflective brilliance.
This "glamour mirror" from the 1930s has an art deco feel, but it definitely has features that remind you of a Venetian mirror.
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by Simply Grove
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| Venetian Glass mirrors come in all shapes and sizes. This one would be beautiful over a dresser or sideboard due to its width. |
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| When shopping for mirrors today, you'll find many modern styles reminiscent of the Venetian glass mirrors. |
by Sylvia Martin
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The clean, classic look of a Venetian Glass mirror makes it a wonderful design for bathrooms
Use a pair for a stunningly beautiful effect.
| Another beautiful Venetian Mirror adding sparkle and pizzaz to a bathroom... |
They add an elegance to any room...even the bathroom.
by CWB Architects
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Here's another lovely example of a simplified version.
Venetian-style mirrors look lovely on almost any wall surface, but they especially shine when placed against a bold color. In my own home, I painted the wall Benjamin Moore Raspberry Truffle to showcase a large Venetian glass mirror.
If you have a room in your home that seems a little blah, consider hanging a Venetian-style mirror. It will create a beautiful focal point and give your room the pizzazz it might be missing.
If you have a room in your home that seems a little blah, consider hanging a Venetian-style mirror. It will create a beautiful focal point and give your room the pizzazz it might be missing.
Ideabook updated on Nov. 1, 2010.
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Great ideabook! I love the juxtaposition of the antique mirror with the modern wallpaper and furnishings in the VDV office. And your dining room is gorgeous!
Anny...you are so welcome!
Alsuwaity...you'll love it!
Lara Jane...thanks so much! Good eye noticing the contrast with the wallpaper...it really is a great look. :)
Thanks so much! The mirror was bought about 13-15 years ago from a store in Atlanta that's no longer in business now. You may want to check with some local mirror stores where you live and perhaps they could order one for you. Hope you are able to locate one.
Thank you.
Also, check on eBay to see what similar fixtures are going for.
The edges of the glass on an authentic Venetian mirror will be just as ornate as the surface - look for thumbprint "indentions" - like a bead necklace - around the edges, as well as on the small glass fixtures around the "nail heads". Even the nail-heads, holding the glass together, should be ornate. The truth is in the details - Murano holds nothing back.
Look for signs of machine made etching -- it will be sloppy, overly consistent... in other words - if a "leaf" or particular pattern that is repeated, also repeats a scratch or sloppy error -- it is not made in Murano.
The mirror will be HEAVY - undeniably heavy... not just 'kind of" heavy.
Vintage Venetian mirrors will have silvering that has faded and turned black - much like a black mold (only it's not mold - don't panic). This is "ok" -- not good, because you want a mirror in good shape, but don't reject it if it has a few bits of spotting. This DOES diminish its value, so you can use this as a bargaining tool if you love the mirror regardless.
Bottom line - know that fakes are good.... but with some common sense examination - you should be able to spot the errors enough to leave you with doubt. When in doubt -- throw it out! :)