Antique Mirror Finishes Compared
Every finish compared, from barely aged to dramatically distressed.
All our finishes are hand-silvered or hand-gilded to order, made to your sizes, and can be toughened on request. Each panel is unique, so we always recommend ordering samples to see them in your own light.
Classic antiqued mirror
On clear glass, lightest to heaviest
| Finish | Distressing | Reflection | The look | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clean Silver | ○○○○○ | Full mirror | Hand-silvered with no distressing; small blemishes possible | Toughened mirror where a clear reflection is needed |
| Foxed | ●○○○○ | High | Clean silver with subtle, random light foxing | Bedrooms, dressing rooms, bathrooms, restoring antique frames |
| Oxidised | ●●○○○ | High, veiled | Gentle all-over misting with a slight sparkle | A soft, even aged look across large walls |
| Vintage | ●●●○○ | Good | Medium distressing in random patterns, with clean silver areas | Our most popular kitchen and AGA splashback finish; feature walls, back bars |
| Cloud | ●●●●○ | Lower | Grainy, moody background with brighter silver patches | Atmospheric bars, restaurants and dining rooms |
| Really Rough | ●●●●○ | Partly obscured | Dramatic, heavily figured patina all over | Statement splashbacks, chimney breasts, tabletops |
| Heavily Oxidised | ●●●●● | Partly obscured | Random heavy marks, drips and lines | Characterful feature walls and hospitality interiors |
Edge-focused finishes: Rough Edges and Oxidised Edges pair a light Foxed centre with heavier distressing around each panel’s edges. They suit panelled walls and mirrors, where the edges frame each panel like an old plate.
Warmer tones: Vintage, Really Rough and Heavily Oxidised are also available with a subtle bronze or gold backing paint, which warms the reflection, especially in strong light.
Colour tinted
On bronze or grey glass
Most classic finishes can be silvered onto tinted glass. Bronze gives a warm, golden-brown reflection; grey gives a smoky, contemporary one. Thicker 6mm glass deepens the colour, and 6mm grey is very dark and dramatic.
| Glass | Available finishes | The look |
|---|---|---|
| Bronze | Foxed, Vintage, Really Rough, Cloud, Oxidised, Oxidised Edges, Rough Edges, Gold Ombré, Heavy Sparkle | Warm and golden; flattering in kitchens and living rooms |
| Grey | Clean Silver, Foxed, Vintage, Really Rough, Heavy Sparkle | Smoky and chic; strong in contemporary and hospitality schemes |
Decorative finishes
When you want a statement
| Finish | Reflection | The look | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercury Sparkle | Good | The sparkle of a degrading original mercury plate, lovely when lit | Antique frames, candlelit dining spaces (not usually splashbacks) |
| Gold, Grey and Copper Swathe | Partial | Dramatic swathes of colour across a distressed silver background | Feature walls, bars, statement panels |
| Gold Ombré | Graduated | Bright mirror fading into non-reflective gold; any RAL colour possible | Contemporary interiors; you choose where the fade begins |
| Heavy Sparkle | Low | Sandblasted before silvering; a decorative surface rather than a mirror | Bars and accent panels |
| Horizontal Wire | Good | Silvered wired glass in a 1cm grid; an industrial look | Industrial and loft-style interiors |
| Fluted and Ribbed glass | Light, not a mirror | Textured reeded glass, silvered or gilded | Cabinet doors, bars, decorative walls |
Verre églomisé
Gilded with real metal leaf
Verre églomisé uses sheets of real leaf laid by hand, so the grid of leaf lines is part of the character. Allow 6–12 weeks. What is verre églomisé?
| Finish | Reflection | The look |
|---|---|---|
| Silver Leaf on Clear | Soft mirror | Delicate water-gilded silver leaf with faint lines where the 90mm leaves overlap; also on bronze or grey glass |
| Silver Leaf Weathered | Reflective | Silver leaf rubbed through over grey, bronze, copper or gold backing paint |
| 22ct Gold Leaf | Reflective | Real gold leaf; rich and warm |
| Morwellham | Non-reflective | Oil-gilt copper leaf in 150mm squares, with visible leaf lines |
| Geevor | Non-reflective | Oil-gilt silver metal leaf, slightly distressed; can warm over time |
| Trailing Leaf | Mixed | A reflective silver leaf design on a matt Geevor background; bespoke designs possible |
Still deciding?
Order samples or ask us
Send us photos of your space and we’ll suggest finishes. Samples are refundable when returned within 30 days.
Order samples →Ask for advice →