Mirror, mirror on the wall ...

Christina here. I have always found mirrors fascinating and I’m sure that’s been true for most people ever since the first caveman/woman happened to catch sight of him- or herself in a still pond or lake somewhere. Therefore, a recent TV programme I watched (Raiders of the Lost Past with Janina Ramirez on BBC2) about amazing archaeological finds in the 9,000-year old city of Çatalhöyük in Turkey, caught my attention. The presenter held up a mirror that was 7000 years old! It wasn’t what we would call a mirror really, but a piece of obsidian – rounded on one side to fit nicely into the palm of your hand and polished flat on the other side to such a shine that you could see your face in it. I was astonished to think such a thing existed so long ago!

Janina Ramirez ©BBC Television

It made me start thinking about mirrors in the past and of course I went down a rabbit hole …

Clearly, still water must have been the first type of mirror, and if no ponds, lakes or puddles were available, some water in a dark bowl or vessel could have been used. But that’s not very practical if you want to see yourself from any direction other than leaning above the surface. Apart from polished obsidian, apparently volcanic glass was also used in pre-historical times, then came polished copper, bronze and silver, and later steel. These are not very satisfactory though as the reflectivity is poor and these metals also tarnished quickly so had to be polished often.

Wikimedia Commons

Pliny the Elder said that in the first century AD, glass began to be used as mirrors – hence the description “looking glass” – possibly coated with lead or gold leaf to make the reflection clearer. There is no archaeological evidence for this until the 3^rd century though so we’ll have to take his word for it. Early glass mirrors weren’t very good – the surface wasn’t completely flat and there were imperfections that distorted the image. Because of this, metal mirrors were more common.

According to Wikipedia, “silver-coated metal mirrors were developed in China as early as 500 CE … the bare metal was coated with an amalgam, then heated until the mercury boiled away.” That was the beginning of what we would call a proper mirror, and eventually these developed in Europe too, which brings us to Venice …

As an aside, now that I’m getting older, I have to admit I’m not a huge fan of looking into mirrors. (If I want to see my mother, I’d rather visit her in person, not have her stare back at me from the bathroom wall!) However, there is one type of mirror I can never resist and that is the Venetian type. They are quite simply stunning and if I could, I’d fill my whole house with them! I’m not sure when I first came across one or what drew me to it – probably the bevelled edges with etching deep in the glass, as well as all the ‘curly’ bits they sometimes come with on the top.

Venetian mirrors were first made on the island of Murano in the 15^th century. The process was painstaking and top secret, but used some sort of fire-gilding technique which resulted in an even and very reflective tin coating for glass mirrors that made them sparkle. The back of the glass was covered with a tin-mercury amalgam that was heated until the mercury evaporated. No one knows who discovered this, but perhaps the knowledge was brought from China via the Silk Road? It sounds similar to their techniques.

These mirrors were highly sought after and extremely beautiful. By the 16^th century Venice was a centre of mirror production and had the monopoly on making them. They weren’t just great for looking at yourself, they were beautiful luxury objects too as they had richly decorated frames with bevelled glass and etching. All the rich people of Europe wanted them for their palaces and stately homes. Most had them custom made, and the fine quality and craftsmanship saw to it that no one else could compete. They were extremely expensive though and it was said that one Venetian mirror cost as much as a naval ship! That didn’t stop kings like Henry VIII from collecting them.

Murano (which is actually a group of islands, not just one) is situated a couple of kilometres north of the Venetian mainland. It was already a centre for glass-making by the 13^th century, although this may have started as early as 450 AD. (The earliest archaeological evidence is from the 7^th/8^th centuries). It made sense to locate glass production away from everything else because the furnaces were dangerous and could cause fires. The glassmakers were not allowed to leave without permission and could be severely punished if they did so. Nevertheless, they enjoyed high social status and a good life. The same applied to the mirror craftsmen who were all sworn to secrecy as competitors were desperate to learn their techniques. A special group was formed to protect the secrets – the so-called Council of Ten – and the master glassmakers were kept isolated from the rest of the world. They were paid very well and lived comfortably.

Eventually the secret got out (it is said that some master craftsmen were bribed). In the 17^th century Venetian mirrors began to be produced in France in larger quantities, thereby allowing more people to be able to afford them. Such wonders as The Hall of Mirrors at the palace of Versailles became possible. This contains 357 mirrors and is 73 metres long (220 feet) – fabulous! (See here)

A German called Justus von Leibig later invented the silvered glass mirror – this is where a thin layer of silver is added to glass by way of the chemical reduction of silver nitrate. Through this process, cheaper mirrors became available to everyone. Now nickel or chromium are also used, as well as electroplating.

These days anyone can own a Venetian style mirror but the genuine ones are still sought after and an authentic one has to come from Murano. I have several “knock-offs” and I’m very happy with those – they are still extremely pretty. And Venetian mirrors can come in different colours and be used for other things as well, like trays, wall sconces and coasters, not to mention trinket boxes and photo frames. I can never resist them in any shape or form!

What do you think of Venetian mirrors? Some people find them too fussy and over the top but I love them! And do you have any favourite books featuring mirrors?

 

Comments

[Mary M.]

Although I'm a huge fan of glass paperweights, my only real interest in mirrors is their ability to increase available light and spaciousness in rooms. Though I have mirrored closet doors and even mirrored walls in my home (already there when I moved in), I'm quite capable of looking directly at one without seeing myself. It would be interesting if I could walk through one as Alice did through the looking glass and find a fantasy world—but then, these days, everything feels like a fantasy world. If the Red Queen came shouting, "Off with his head!," would we even look around to see whose head was at risk?

[Christina Courtenay]

Oh yes, I love it when mirrors are used to make a room brighter! And they give the illusion that it is so much bigger. I once lived in a tiny apartment where one whole wall of the sitting room was made of mirrors and it did help to make it less claustrophobic. Walking through one and entering a different world would be great! (Not sure I want to meet the Red Queen though).

[Quantum]

As a scientist I have always been fascinated by light. Distorting mirrors were an early interest .... if I could look like that in a mirror how would others be seeing me and is the world around me really like what I see? Then 2-way mirrors came to my attention. Large mirrors on walls made me wonder if I was being secretly observed. I think modern security cameras will have superseded spying mirrors now, but they are still of historical interest and can be fun in novels. Use of mirrors to create the illusion of a larger space is particularly interesting and useful ... reminds me of a library in my old college where clear glass was used to separate aisles. I once tried to walk through the glass while browsing books .... one would need to take care not to do that with mirrors! And of course they can make beautiful ornaments as you describe. The last book I read (listened to) with a mirror was MJP's 'Dark mirror' though that reflected time, both future and past ....great read!

[Katja]

Mrs. Putney's Dark Mirror imnediately came to my mind. As for real life mirrors, I am not much of a fan. Having said that, our rather small bathroom profits a lot from the long mirror and the small mirror tiles mosaic we used. Definitely makes it look bigger

[Christina Courtenay]

I forgot about two-way mirrors - they are indeed fascinating! I've never liked distorting ones, those you see at fun fairs that make you look grotesque. I find them creepy! Walking through glass - ouch, but easy to do! I once fell into a shop window display because I thought it had glass around it when it didn't :-D n(Shouldn't have been leaning on it)

[Christina Courtenay]

I love mirror tiles and mirror tile mosaics, they add such brilliance to a bathroom! You've made me want to redecorate mine now ... :-)

[Sue McCormick]

Every June we have an art fair here in Columbia. One of the artists specialzes in mirrors. They are rather small with the decoration being colored glass. And they are stunning. Bob one the first time he saw them. He attempted to buy one with red glass for our older daughter, but the artist couldnt find enough red glass to produce one. Ours hangs on our bedroom wall; we never use it for reflecting us, just to enjoy the beauty. (It is much simpler than your Venition mirrors.)

[Christina Courtenay]

That sounds beautiful, Sue! I like having mirrors as decorations, especially if they are in a location where they reflect the light. I'm so glad you have one you like and hope you can find one for your daughter as well in due course!

[Karin]

I like using mirrors as a decorative element, but I've never heard of Venetian mirrors. Working with mercury must have been quite dangerous for the health of the glassmakers!

[Annette N]

Venetian mirrors....at times we all need "too fussy and over the top". They look lovely.

Thanks for this post. Just think, that cave woman looking in the still water had no corner drugstore for her mascara, blush, lipstick. Oh The Humanity!!!

Hope everyone is well and safe and happy.

[Christina Courtenay]

Yes it doesn’t sound very healthy does it! A shame they had to put themselves in danger to produce those stunning items.

[Christina Courtenay]

Good point Annette! Beauty ideals have changed through the ages so they probably had other ways of enhancing their looks :-)

The Venetian mirrors are rather fussy but I love them! Probably not to everyone’s taste though.

[Beth Elliott]

I love Venetian mirrors, the more blingy the better.

You may be interested in the set of mirrors the Republic of Venice gifted to the Ottoman Sultan in 1718. They adorn the Pavilion of the Mirrored Poplars in Istanbul. Below is a website, which should let you see a photo of them.
The whole effect is spectacular.

https://www.millisaraylar.gov.tr/Content/kasirlar/aynalikavak-kasri/images/kasr-galeri-1.jpg

[Jeanne Behnke]

So interesting - Christina - all I could think was
Mirror Mirror On The Wall
I Am My Mother After All!

[Kareni]

While I knew about Murano glass, I'd never heard of Venetian mirrors; thank you for teaching me something new today, Christina!

[Christina Courtenay]

Oh wow, Beth, that's definitely my kind of room! Love it! Thank you for sharing that.

[Christina Courtenay]

LOL yes, that certainly seems to be true for me!

[Christina Courtenay]

Thank you - I'm so glad you enjoyed the post Kareni!

[Vicki L]

Jayne Ann Krentz has a mirror that shows up through various books that is deadly. It was a Mrs. Bridewell creation and was used to kill people. Now that I think about it, she had the mirror show up in books by all 3 of her pseudonyms!

I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to have many mirrors in my house to catch and throw light. I'm one of those unfortunate people that if an intense beam of light hits my eyes wrong BANG goes the headache. I get struck by light off the mirror in my own car, other peoples vehicles (hate chrome..), buildings, etc. So I don't really want to add additional ways to be hit.

[Christina Courtenay]

A deadly mirror sounds like a great idea for a story! But poor you with the headaches, that's not good. I can definitely understand you avoiding mirrors Vicki!

[Mary Jo Putney]

Christina, I love your rabbit holes! I don't have a Venetian mirror, though I have a small beveled mirror with a brass surround that contains three candle holders so the mirror can reflect the light when the candles are lit.

Both Quantum and Katja have mentioned my Dark Mirror YA fantasy series. The mirror is a magic construct, invisible until someone with mirror magic calls it into shimmering life. When it's activated to become a portal leading to different times and places, it turns black and WHOOSH! Fun with magic mirrors. *G*

[Christina Courtenay]

Thank you Mary Jo! And that sounds wonderful - it's on my TBR pile and I can't wait! I love mirrors with beveled edges too and having candles nearby is just perfect.

[Jeanne Behnke]

I'm on the third book right now. So good! I absolutely love this series.

[Mary Jo Putney]

Jeanne Behnke, I'm so glad you're enjoying my Dark Mirror trilogy. Tell all your friends! *G*