Difference between revisions of "Mirror"

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[[File:23.20-SC2782.jpg|thumb|'''MFA Acc. #:''' 23.20]]
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[[File:23.20-SC2782.jpg|thumb|Dressing box<br>MFA# 23.20]]
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
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[[File:Image3_802396.jpg|thumb|Mirrored radio<br>MFA# 1997.76]]
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A smooth, polished surface capable of reflecting an image of an object placed in front of it.  Mirrors were originally made from highly polished [[metal|metal]].  Crude
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[[glass|glass]] mirrors were first made in Venice in 1278.  Glass mirrors with a metallized backing were first constructed in Venice in the 16th century using an [[amalgam|amalgam]] of
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[[tin%20leaf|tinfoil]] and [[mercury|mercury]].  In 1836, a German chemist, J. von Liebig, developed a method to coat the glass with a silver salt then reduce it to metallic
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[[silver|silver]].  The silver gave a brighter image but was more expensive.  The back of the silver mirrors were usually protected with several layers of [[paint|paint]].  Now large mirrors are usually backed with vapor deposited [[aluminum|aluminum]].  Small specialty mirrors are vapor coated with silver.
  
A smooth, polished surface capable of reflecting an image of an object placed in front of it.  Mirrors were originally made from highly polished [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=metal metal].  Crude [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=glass glass] mirrors were first made in Venice in 1278.  Glass mirrors with a metallized backing were first constructed in Venice in the 16th century using an [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=amalgam amalgam] of [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=tin%20leaf tinfoil] and [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=mercury mercury].  In 1836, a German chemist, J. von Liebig, developed a method to coat the glass with a silver salt then reduce it to metallic [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=silver silver].  The silver gave a brighter image but was more expensive.  The back of the silver mirrors were usually protected with several layers of [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=paint paint].  Now large mirrors are usually backed with vapor deposited [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=aluminum aluminum].  Small specialty mirrors are vapor coated with silver.
 
 
[[File:Image3_802396.jpg|thumb|'''MFA Acc. #:''' 1997.76]]
 
 
== Synonyms and Related Terms ==
 
== Synonyms and Related Terms ==
  
 
looking glass; espejo (Esp.); miroir (Fr.); spiegel (Ned.); espelho (Port.)
 
looking glass; espejo (Esp.); miroir (Fr.); spiegel (Ned.); espelho (Port.)
  
== Additional Information ==
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==Resources and Citations==
  
P.Hadsund "The Tin-Mercury Mirror: Its Manufacturing Technique and Deterioration Processes" ''Studies in Conservation'', 38:3-16, 1993.
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* P.Hadsund "The Tin-Mercury Mirror: Its Manufacturing Technique and Deterioration Processes" ''Studies in Conservation'', 38:3-16, 1993.
  
 
[[Category:Materials database]]
 
[[Category:Materials database]]

Latest revision as of 07:48, 27 September 2022

Dressing box
MFA# 23.20

Description

Mirrored radio
MFA# 1997.76

A smooth, polished surface capable of reflecting an image of an object placed in front of it. Mirrors were originally made from highly polished Metal. Crude Glass mirrors were first made in Venice in 1278. Glass mirrors with a metallized backing were first constructed in Venice in the 16th century using an Amalgam of tinfoil and Mercury. In 1836, a German chemist, J. von Liebig, developed a method to coat the glass with a silver salt then reduce it to metallic Silver. The silver gave a brighter image but was more expensive. The back of the silver mirrors were usually protected with several layers of Paint. Now large mirrors are usually backed with vapor deposited Aluminum. Small specialty mirrors are vapor coated with silver.

Synonyms and Related Terms

looking glass; espejo (Esp.); miroir (Fr.); spiegel (Ned.); espelho (Port.)

Resources and Citations

  • P.Hadsund "The Tin-Mercury Mirror: Its Manufacturing Technique and Deterioration Processes" Studies in Conservation, 38:3-16, 1993.