Rough Old Glass creates hand‑silvered antique mirror glass and verre églomisé wall panels, tiles, splashbacks and ready‑to‑hang mirrors in our North Devon workshop, delivered worldwide. Our team combines decades of restoration, conservation and decorative arts experience to produce authentic distressed and vintage mirror glass and verre églomisé finishes for private homes, hospitality interiors and trade clients.
About Rough Old Glass – Hand‑Silvered Antique Mirror & Verre Églomisé Specialists
OUR BACKGROUND
Rough Old Glass was founded by a restorer and conservator with over a decade’s experience working for the National Trust and English Heritage in carving, gilding and furniture restoration, alongside an upholsterer and dealer of antique French chairs and mirrors.
Initially, we sourced antique frames from France to restore, many of which had lost their original mirror plates. To replace the missing or broken glass, we developed our own technique for hand‑silvering and distressing glass, laying the foundation for Rough Old Glass as a specialist in antique mirror glass and verre églomisé finishes.
Our extensive hands‑on experience with genuine antique mirror glass has enabled us to create a range of hand‑silvered, distressed and vintage mirror glass finishes that authentically capture the character of old mirrors.
What began as a service for other dealers and restorers quickly grew. Today, Rough Old Glass supplies reproduction antiqued mirror glass and verre églomisé panels for private homes, bars, restaurants and hotels worldwide. Our team now includes artists, gilders, restorers, welders and silverers, all working from our North Devon workshop.
Our Hand Silvering Process
Our hand silvering process always starts with transparent glass. Any cut‑outs, holes, edge finishes and toughening are carried out by our trusted glass processor to ensure every panel is fit for its intended use.
Once thoroughly cleaned, we sensitise the glass to create an invisible chemical bond between the silver and the glass. For each batch, we mix a fresh silvering solution, which is carefully poured onto the clear glass. The silver deposits evenly onto one surface of the glass; as it forms, we apply a resist to create thinner areas of silver. When the mirror backing paint is applied, these thinner areas show through as authentic distressing, giving each piece its unique, antique character.
Tiles & Splashbacks
Hand silvered feature wall panels, and toughened splashbacks. Made in the UK and delivered Worldwide.
Restoration
Structural repairs, consolidation & refinishing gilt & decorative surfaces.
