In 16th century Italy, artisans particularly in the city of Venice, expertly created venetian mirrors for noblemen and royalty. These breathtaking works of art were the beginnings of clear, mirrored glass. In the early days, they were very expensive and rare, and were luxury items that were available only to the noblemen and royalty of Venice and around Europe. Originally, mirrors were used less for admiring oneself and more for adding light to a room. For this purpose, they were placed together with candles. Today, Venetian mirrors a form of art as well as a mirror, and are loved by people across the globe. It can add a touch of timeless elegance to any interior, and one of these items will look stylish in any room where it will always be the main attraction and a focal point for all to enjoy. They possess the ability to stand alone on a wall where their beauty does not require accents or accessories.
These mirrors are known for their engraved carving with intricate details, mirrored borders and the trademark feminine rosettes adorning every single mirror making it gracefully ornate. The polished edges, the arches and long lines create a unique and classical appearance. Venetian mirrors are well loved for their attention to detail without ever becoming unbalanced or gaudy. One of these timeless pieces will look lovely gracing the wall of any bedroom, bathroom or formal room.
Cut glass mirrors and etched mirrors are suitable for most interiors. In the 1700’s etching became a widespread way of glass decoration and this method created a beautiful pattern. Some etched mirrors are still made today. Freestanding mirrors became popular in the 18th century and were usually set in wood. The wood used to be simple, but as time passed, wood frames were increasingly decorated with ornate motifs.
Over time, gilded frames were added to protect the glass. Sometimes the frames were decorated with intricate and ornate techniques. There are many beautiful examples of antique gilded mirrors available on the market today and these have become very popular. In the 1900’s, mirrors framed with carved wood became more common.
These unique creations come in a range of shapes from circular and oval to rectangular. A mirror can make a room look more spacious than it really is. A Venetian mirror will always be the centerpiece of any room in the house, so keep this in mind when thinking about where to place it. They are a high class, sophisticated way to merge the modern with a vintage embodiment of the Renaissance period to lend their positive influence to your living room's ambience.
The true and genuine products are hand made, and can never be machine produced. Today mirrors are created by experts who are often part of a long family line of artists and who have learns the techniques from their forefathers. The details of the engravings and the way the glass has been polished to achieve the unique appearance are skills that have been passed down through generations of glass-makers.
Venetian mirrors define elegance with their rich history and intricate detailing and is just as breathtaking today as it was centuries ago.
Venetian mirrors define elegance with their rich history and intricate detailing and is just as breathtaking today as it was centuries ago.
