Antiquing is a fun and exciting hobby.
Part of the fun of antiquing is deciding what to collect.
Antique mirrors are gorgeous and will enhance the beauty of any room in your home.
Learning about antique mirrors can be interesting.
There is a lot of history behind an antique mirror.
Where to Find Antique Mirrors Antique mirrors can be found all over the world.
You truly never know when you might come across one in your daily life.
Do you like to go to garage sales or estate sales?These are the best places to find antique mirrors because they are generally sold at significantly low prices.
Most people that sell one in a garage sale or estate sale have no idea they have such a treasure.
They are just happy to get rid of the "old stuff.
"This is great news for someone with the trained eye.
This will take a lot longer than having one handed to you.
However, it is also the best way to get that feeling of getting a great deal and that feeling of excitement from the thrill of the hunt.
If searching all over the place for an antique mirror is not for you then there are places that have done the leg work for you.
You will pay the price, but this price may well be worth it to you.
You can find the treasures you are looking for in local antique shops, estate auctions, and online.
If you choose to go the online route, you will need to do some research to ensure the company is reputable.
Check reviews for this company; however, do not believe everything you read.
Anyone can write a review.
You will want to find less formal reviews that are written by people who have actually had experiences with the company.
Identifying Styles of Antique Mirrors Styles vary in architecture and artistry depending on the different periods that they were designed in.
Most features are intricately curved and glided frames.
The mirrors also differ in the techniques in which they were produced.
Most of the mirrors you will find are oval or rectangular.
The different styles include:

• Mirrored Glass - This type of glass was coated on one side with a reflective substance.
  These were generally seen in mirrors from the 16th century to the 1840s.
  The process for making these mirrors was called silvering.
  

• Baroque Mirrors - These are large mirrors made from small pieces of glass that were joined together.
  These mirrors were made of mostly oak and walnut.
  The frames were usually finished with a gold or silver leaf that was meant to enhance the reflection of sunlight and candlelight.
  

• Plate Glass and the Rocco - This mirror made its debut at the beginning of the 18th century.
  This mirror was made with large sheets of plate glass.
  The mirrors were rectangular in carved mahogany or walnut frames of curlicues and seashells.
  These started off as French mirrors.
  The English and American manufacturers began using the technique of plate glass in 1770.
  

• Classical Elegance - These mirrors are generally rectangular.
  Different countries have their own design based on the era of classical values and artistic tastes.
  The French Empire style mirrors were simple with mahogany frames.
  English Regency style mirrors were more elegant with gilded flowers and scrollwork carved at the tops of the frames.
  

• Victorian Imitations - These were mirrors produced in the 19th century that combined different aspects of one period with other aspects of another.
  For example, a Renaissance frame might have a large factory made plate glass from the 19th century surrounded with 15th or 16th century motifs.
  

The different styles are unique and can help you identify the type of antique mirror you are considering for your home.