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In the early 10th century, the Persian scientist al-Razi described ways of silvering and gilding in a book on alchemy, [citation needed] but this was not done for the purpose of making mirrors. Tin-coated mirrors were first made in Europe in the 15th century. The thin tinfoil used to silver mirrors was known as "tain". [5]
In China, bronze mirrors were manufactured from around 2000 BC, [11] some of the earliest bronze and copper examples being produced by the Qijia culture. Such metal mirrors remained the norm through to Greco-Roman Antiquity and throughout the Middle Ages in Europe. [12] During the Roman Empire silver mirrors were in wide use by servants. [13]
Bronze mirrors were produced in China from Neolithic times [citation needed] until Western glass mirrors were brought to China. Bronze mirrors were usually circular, with one side polished bright, to give a reflection, and the reverse side normally decorated in cast relief in early examples, later on sometimes inlaid in precious metal. They ...
Murano mirrors were known for the artwork on the frame that held the mirror in addition to their quality. [44] By the 1600s, Murano mirrors were in great demand. However, by the end of the century, English-made mirrors had the best quality. Only one glass house in Murano was still making mirrors by 1772. [45]
The center for luxury Italian glassmaking from the 14th century was the island of Murano, which developed many new techniques and became the center of a lucrative export trade in dinnerware, mirrors, and other items. What made Venetian Murano glass significantly different was that the local quartz pebbles were almost pure silica, and were ...
Telescopes with speculum metal mirrors were a large breakthrough in aperture, but their drawbacks fueled competition from refractors The metal mirror of the Leviathan, the largest telescope mirror until the 100-inch Hooker telescope of 1917 (a metal-on-glass mirror) Looking down the insides of an old reflecting telescope.
Silvered "mercury" glass is considered one of the first true "art glass" types, that is, glass that was made for display and for its inherent artistic value rather than for utilitarian use. Authentic antique silvered glass pieces are still available in a wide range of decorative items and usually sold as mercury glass.
The vast majority of glass windows were produced by the cylinder blown method, although possibly on a smaller scale than the classic methods mentioned by Theophilus. Some Anglo-Saxon window glass was produced by the crown method and at Repton thick pieces of window glass with swirling layered surfaces were possibly made using the cast method. [15]