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Mirror Mirror on the Wall
Posted by Gillian Jones on 16/11/2015
You’ve heard about Narcissus, it’s where you get the word narcissism from. You may not know its origin however, which comes from Greek mythology. A man known for his beauty saw his own reflection in a pool which had been carefully conjured up by Nemesis, and unable to tear himself away from his own image, he drowned.
The Fauna of Mirrors
In the Fauna of Mirrors, a story by the Argentinian writer Jorge Luis Borges, the mirrors contain a secret world behind it where strange creatures, hostile to humanity, live hidden from view. They live behind the mirrors and any reflective surface. The Emperor’s magic trapped them in their own mirrors, but the spell is not permanent, they can escape. The signs will be when you hear the sound of weapons clattering, or you see a line of colour that’s never been seen before appearing in the mirror’s reflection.
And then of course there’s the story of Snow White and the evil stepmother, searching for answers as to who is the fairest of them all, from the one true, wise mirror.
Functional yet captivating
Yes mirrors are not just functional they capture the imagination. They have a long history and the invention of mirrors is as long as the myths that surround them. A reflective surface can be seen in pools of water, furniture and against a window in the right light.
But mirrors are the best and the most magical of all for capturing your reflection. Does the mirror capture your soul if you gaze into to it for too long? Perhaps not, but the mystery of a mirror goes hand in hand with its usefulness. Today’s modern mirrors a little boring, unless of course you’re into the minimalist look.
Perfect frame, perfect space
If you like a mirror to have the perfect frame, something dramatic but not too ornate, a mirror can really brighten up a room. It can play tricks with your mind, your image and the space around you. For a mirror can not only show you what you want to see, it can also make a room seem much bigger than it really is.
Mirrors are great for making a bedroom or a bathroom seem larger than it is, which is why they’re so popular for smaller rooms.
The perfect Christmas gift
And of course a mirror is the perfect gift, especially for those that like to collect them. Mirrors may not seem like a collector’s item, but they don’t always have to be big, ornate affairs, they can be cosmetic, complete with handle. Small enough to slip into your bag, those exquisite little compact mirrors, or just smaller wall mirrors.
Antique mirrors
If you buy antique then that’s even better, for a mirror will have its own worth, and increase with each year of ownership. If you don’t want to collect more than one, then wait until the one you do own becomes a fashionable collector’s item and sell it, if you can bear to part with it.
Look out for unusual ones, mirrors that speak to you of impossibly beautiful detailing, the kind of detailing you won’t find today. Pretty or unusual shapes and pretty sloped edges.
Mirrors on www.antiques.co.uk
Take a look on www.antiques.co.uk and find yourself the perfect mirror, you’ll find many different styles, shapes and prices, and there’s bound to be one that fits your budget. But whatever you do – don’t spend too much time staring at your reflection, and beware the sound of clattering weapons.