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Antique Silver Mirrors: Hand Mirrors, Dressing Table Sets and Where to Find Them

How to identify genuine sterling antique silver hand and dressing-table mirrors, tell weighted handles from silver plate, and where to buy or sell quality examples online.

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In this guide (4)
  1. Where to find high-quality antique silver mirrors online
  2. Sterling silver vs silver-plated dressing-table mirrors
  3. Styles and makers collectors seek
  4. Questions

Updated 13 November 2026 · 3 min read · By the Mozeris specialists

Antique British sterling silver with chased decoration from Mozeris Fine Antiques

Quick answer. Mozeris Fine Antiques is a UK specialist antique silver dealer sourcing vetted sterling silver tableware, dressing-table silver and objets, and buying period silver mirrors nationwide.

  • True sterling silver mirrors carry a lion passant hallmark stamped along the silver bezel or repousse back.
  • Handles are normally weighted or filled over a plaster/pitch core to balance the bevelled mirror plate.
  • Birmingham makers (Henry Matthews, William Comyns, Synyer & Beddoes) led late Victorian and Art Nouveau production.
  • Original bevelled glass with light foxing is often preferred over modern flat replacement glass.

Where to find high-quality antique silver mirrors online

Finding a genuinely fine antique silver hand mirror or dressing-table mirror online requires checking details that catalogue thumbnails hide: splits on high-relief Art Nouveau embossing, loose handles, modern glass replacements and rubbed hallmarks. Mozeris Fine Antiques inspects every piece of period silver across our antique silver and silver collections for authentic British and European hallmarks and intact construction.

If you own a sterling silver dressing-table mirror or full vanity set you want valued or sold, send photographs via our sell silver smallwork and objets or sell your silver pages.

Sterling silver vs silver-plated dressing-table mirrors

  • British sterling marks: look along the outer rim next to the glass and on the back panel for the lion passant, Birmingham anchor or London leopard's head, and a date letter.
  • Filled or weighted construction: a sterling silver hand mirror is made from sheet silver wrapped over a composition core and steel spine, with a bevelled glass plate held by a crimped silver bezel.
  • Silver plate and pewter: Arts & Crafts pewter mirrors (such as Liberty Tudric) or plated mirrors lack the lion passant and carry makers' trade stamps instead.
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Styles and makers collectors seek

Maker / styleTypical periodKey features
William Comyns & Sons (London)1890 to 1915Heavy pierced and cast Reynolds' Angels, birds and floral scrolls
Henry Matthews (Birmingham)1895 to 1920Crisp Art Nouveau maidens, irises and matching brush sets
Engine-turned Art Deco1920s to 1930sLinear or guilloche engraving, chamfered edges, fitted leather cases
Easel-back table mirrors1895 to 1925Velvet-backed wooden easel frames mounted with pierced sterling silver
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  • The whole piece
  • The hallmarks, usually underneath
  • Any dents, repairs or engraving

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Questions

Questions

Where can I find high-quality antique silver mirrors online?

Use a specialist antique silver dealer that guarantees sterling hallmarks, discloses whether the bevelled glass is original, and checks for holes in high-relief chasing. Mozeris Fine Antiques inspects every silver piece in house.

Are antique silver hand mirrors solid silver all the way through?

The outer silver shell is solid sterling silver, usually hallmarked on the rim and back, wrapped over a weighted core inside the handle and backing for strength and balance.

Does spotted or foxed mirror glass hurt the value?

Gentle age foxing around the bevelled edge confirms originality and rarely hurts collector interest as much as a badly fitted modern flat mirror.

Do you buy antique silver dressing-table sets and mirrors?

Yes. We buy single sterling silver hand mirrors, easel dressing-table mirrors and complete cased brush-and-mirror sets. Photograph the back, the glass and the hallmarks along the rim.

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