Another day… another treasure hunt. This time, it was a gorgeous large antique mirror that stopped me in my tracks.
Antique French Mirror
I have to stop browsing marketplace. It almost always leads to me saving things and showing my husband another something that we should go pick up. Which, I am okay with. I honestly save a lot more things than I ever inquire about or decide to pursue. So, kind of like window shopping right? Just getting ideas and inspiration for decor changes, etc. Unless I find something like this mirror.
Shopping Vintage
It was early in the morning. We were getting ready to load up the car and head to the beach for that family reunion I mentioned recently. I hopped on the computer while sipping coffee and looked at marketplace just for fun. I almost always decide to see what is available on marketplace in the area we are traveling to- you just never know what you might find. And this morning, one of the first things that popped up in my marketplace feed was an antique French mirror.
Louis XIV Mirror
It was listed as a Louis XIV mirror from 1880. I clicked on it and looked at the measurements and details and messaged the seller to see if it was available. A little bit later- I got a message back that it was. I jokingly asked my husband if he had gotten me anything for Valentine’s Day (which was the next day) and showed him the mirror and he said that was perfect.
We stopped on our way out of town to take a closer look and fell in love with all those gorgeous details. The carved flowers and swags. The gorgeous gilding and of course, the size – it is near the size of the 9′ tall French mirror in our living room as you can see.
Getting it Home
It was a bit of a challenge to get it home- we had to enlist the help from one of our sons to load it into the car and when we got home with it- were not sure we could get it into the house on our own. It is crazy heave and fragile of course. We decided to try to get it onto a dolly – and managed to get it through the pea gravel walkway and up the stairs and into the living room. We slid it off the dolly and it landed here for now- though will be moving somewhere else soon.
All the details
I took a few photos of the details this morning to share with you- though ignore the real life details of the stacks of wood for the fire on both sides of the fireplace, the straps for some of the trees we are concerned about on the table and me looking very not put together in the reflection.
I love the wreath and swags with the bow- so detailed and pretty!
Tips
Wherever you are shopping- marketplace, Ebay, etc. here are a couple tips to finding and buying antique French mirrors:
- Search words like ‘Antique, Vintage, French, Pier, Full length, gilded, carved, Over mantel’ along with ‘Mirror’
- Be realistic about pricing- Antique French Mirrors that are large especially. They will cost anywhere from a couple hundred dollars to several thousand dollars even on places like marketplace.
- Mottled mirrors are considered usual- and they can be preferential to some folks like me. I love to see the character and age of the mirror so that doesn’t bother me.
- Chips in the paint are considered well loved patina- I don’t mind those either! Missing carvings or other damage would be more of a issue but if that doesn’t bother you- you can use those to your advantage when making an offer.
- Overall- go with your gut and what you love! If it fits your aesthetic, budget and you love the style and how it looks- it might be the piece de resistance that you need!
Stay tuned for where this mirror lands. What do you think of it?
You only live once! Bravo!
what a fantastic find! love ott French classics like this. have been fortunate enough to aquire many bon Marches over the years. probably too many, but too much is not ENOUGH! crystal chandeliers in every room, etc. on to Versailles! 👑. once saw a plaque reading my husband says if I bring one more thing home, he will leave me! sure will miss him. lucky you and your husband! 🏰.
INCREDIBLY beautiful and, as your husband said, “Perfect”!
Oh. My. Gosh. It couldn’t be more splendid!! So happy for you.
Your new mirror is stunning! I’m on the hunt for one too, but i think you found a beauty!
These are fabulous and will look stunning in any kind of decor. Luckily, when we bought a 1912 historic home in wisconsin years ago, the legacy of owners left original spare building materials and items, including three mammouth mirrors. Have yet to figure a way to move them up winding stairs, but you have inspired me to keep trying. Thank you for your lovely visions every week.
Fantastic! A real beauty.
So lov.
I love it! You are so fortunate to have all three of those beautiful mirrors. I cannot wait to see where you place it!
Oh my…what a gorgeous find!! Our marketplace is not as good as your area. I think people in this area donates or trashes treasures.
❤️❤️❤️Beautiful❤️❤️❤️
stunning for sure!
beautiful so happy you found it
Im in “Mirror envy”! You hit the jackpot, its gorgeous and so unique!
You ALWAYS inspire me to turn my house into my dream home!!!!! Thank you!!
Of course it is amazing. Good find. Wow all three!!!
I am in love with it
Honestly…I gasped!!! Mirror envy!!! franki
beautiful antique. I have many antiques inherited from grandparents in Czech rep. and america mostly crystal from 1825 to 1950’s. the shame is I have no children so I have slowly been giving them away to good friends. your find was amazing the mirror will look great anywhere in your home I know you will find the perfect spot.
So nice
Absolutely stunning,!!
love all three of them!
Gorgeous!!
Wow, these mirro are as stunning as your fabulous DESIGNING style. I love these, and would be happy just owning just one. Three sre bonuses. Thanks fir sharing
Absolutely Divine! What a find!!
Gorgeous!!!!!!!!!
Best Valentine’s Day present ever! It’s beautiful.
Karen B.
Absolute Love your mirror – actually all of them! I learned my lesson at round top texas last october. my friend and I were late to the marburger antique event. a vendor had told us the traffic would be backed up for miles and it was best to go later to the event. what a mistake! I missed being able to purchase the most beautiful mirror I have ever seen. it was sold. i also missed the most unusual gorgeous one of a kind french planter that I have ever seen – by 20 minutes! Lesson learned! the early bird gets the worm! i hope to go back to round top – what a fun amazing experience! but this time we are flying there and renting a uhaul to drive back…lol! and i won’t be late to any of the events!
Memorable Valentines all the way around! Beautiful find and the perfect fit with your collection.
Amazing find. Beautiful Valinetines Day gift to remember.
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