Absolutely love this mirror, it's
"Absolutely love this mirror, it's timeless. Looks more exepensive than it is and I know I will have it for many years to come."
Overview
Description
Specifications
Delivery & Returns
FAQs
Knowledge Hub
An Arched Overmantel Mirror in Hand-Gilded Champagne Gold
A beaded overmantel mirror made for the wall above a fireplace, gessoed and finished in hand-applied gold leaf with a softly aged champagne patina. At 850 mm wide it suits a console, sideboard, chest or mantel of roughly 1100 mm to 1300 mm, and the arched top breaks up a wall otherwise built from straight lines. 1100 mm tall, 850 mm wide, 42 mm deep, 10.45 kg. Paulownia wood, glass and MDF. Plain glass, D-ring fixing, one-way hanging.
What This Mirror Does for a Wall
- It lights a dull wall: The space above furniture is often the least lit plane in a room. A mirror there returns daylight and lamplight instead of absorbing them.
- It breaks the run of straight lines: Doorframes, skirting, shelving, the furniture below. The arch is usually the only curve on that wall, which is what makes it read as deliberate.
- It is sized for furniture: 850 mm spans roughly two thirds of a console, sideboard, chest or mantel of 1100 mm to 1300 mm, the proportion mirrors hang best at.
- It is gilded, not painted: Hand-applied gold leaf over a gesso ground, so the beading catches light along one edge and shadows along the other.
- It reads warm rather than shiny: The champagne patina sits closer to antique brass than bright gilt, so it suits plain modern rooms as well as period ones.
- It hangs one way: Fixed D-rings, 10.45 kg. Level the fixings first time, and check whether the breast is masonry or studwork before drilling.
Where It Works Best
Above a hallway console where the arch answers a fanlight over the door. Over a dining sideboard, returning candlelight across the table. Above a bedroom chest, hung low enough to still be useful. On the wall a fireplace would have occupied in a room that no longer has one. For chimney breast and feature wall arrangements, our media wall styling guide covers the layout.
What an Arched Mirror Adds to a Room
A mirror hung above furniture sits higher than eye level, which changes what it is for. Nobody stands in front of one to check an outfit. What it returns instead is the ceiling, the far wall and whatever light is in the room behind you, and it does that from the plane most walls have the least of: the space above a shelf, a console or a chest. That is why a mirror in this position brightens a room in a way that one hung lower does not. It is working on the light rather than on the reflection.
The arch is the other half of it. Rooms are built almost entirely from straight lines and right angles, and the walls we hang things on tend to be the worst offenders: doorframes, skirting, shelving, screens, the furniture underneath. A curved top interrupts all of that with one gesture. It is also a shape with some history behind it, borrowed from windows and openings, which is why an arched frame reads as considered rather than novel. At 1100 mm tall and 850 mm wide the proportions are generous without dominating a standard wall.
1100 mm tall, 850 mm wide, 42 mm deep, 10.45 kg. Plain glass, beaded paulownia frame, gessoed and finished in hand-applied gold leaf with an aged champagne patina, on an MDF backing with D-rings fitted. For the same finish at full length standing on the floor, the Hand Crafted Antique Style Leaner Mirror in Cream covers the leaner format in a softer painted tone.
What Makes This Mirror Work
- Generous but manageable proportions. 1100 mm tall by 850 mm wide. Large enough to hold a wall on its own, contained enough to sit above a console, sideboard, chest or mantel without crowding what is underneath.
- An arch against all those straight lines. Most of what surrounds a mirror is square-edged. The curve is usually the only thing on that wall that is not, which is what makes it read as deliberate.
- Hand-applied gold leaf over gesso. Real metal laid onto a chalk ground worked smooth beneath it. Leaf reflects light directionally, so the beading is bright along one edge and shadowed along the other.
- Champagne, not bright gold. The patina is taken back to something closer to antique brass. Warm enough for a period room, restrained enough for a plain modern one.
- Light where a room tends to need it. The wall above furniture is often the dullest surface in the room. A mirror there returns daylight and lamplight rather than absorbing them.
- 10.45 kg on two D-rings. Paulownia keeps the weight sensible for the size. One-way hanging, so the fixings need to be level first time.
How High to Hang It and What to Hang It Above
The working rule for a mirror above furniture is that it should span roughly two thirds to three quarters of the piece beneath it. At 850 mm wide this one suits consoles, sideboards, chests and mantel shelves between about 1100 mm and 1300 mm, which covers most of what people hang mirrors above. Leave 100 mm to 150 mm of clear wall between the top of the furniture and the bottom of the frame, so the mirror sits above it rather than on it. Centre it on the furniture rather than on the room. And allow for the full 1100 mm height plus that gap before marking anything, since on a low ceiling the arch can end up crowding a picture rail.
Where It Works Best
Above a hallway console, where the arch answers a front door with a fanlight and the mirror doubles the daylight coming in with it. In a dining room over a sideboard, bouncing candlelight back across the table. Above a bedroom chest of drawers, hung slightly lower than usual so it can still be used properly. On a landing opposite a window, where it has something worth returning. Above a fireplace, which is the position the overmantel proportions were originally drawn for, and equally on the wall where a fireplace used to be in a room that still wants a focal point.
What to Know Before You Order
- Fixings for 10.45 kg, level first time. Wall plugs and rated screws into masonry, hollow-wall anchors or a stud on plasterboard. Chimney breasts and older walls can be studded out rather than solid, so check before you drill. One-way hanging means there is no adjusting the balance afterwards.
- Gilding is dusted, never sprayed. A dry soft cloth on the frame. No polish, no damp cloth, nothing abrasive. Dampen a cloth away from the mirror if you need to clean the glass, rather than spraying anything onto it.
- Every frame ages differently. The leaf is laid and the patina worked by hand, so depth and wear vary between pieces and against the photography. That is what separates a hand-finished frame from a sprayed one.
- If it is going above a working fire. A mantel shelf deflects most rising heat, which is what it is there for. Above a stove or an open fire, follow the appliance manufacturer's clearance guidance and avoid any position where timber and gilding would sit in direct or sustained heat.
1100 x 850 x 42 mm
Dimensions
Paulownia / Glass / MDF
Materials
Champagne Gold Leaf
Finish
Overmantel
Type
D-Ring
Fixing
10.45 kg
Weight
Specification
Details
Purpose / Benefit
Dimensions
1100 mm (H) x 850 mm (W) x 42 mm (D)
The 850 mm width spans roughly two thirds of a console, sideboard, chest or mantel shelf of 1100 mm to 1300 mm, which is the proportion mirrors hang best at.
Shape
Arched top
Interrupts a wall otherwise built from straight lines: doorframes, skirting, shelving and the furniture beneath it. Borrowed from windows and openings rather than invented.
Finish
Hand-applied gold leaf over gesso
Gesso is a chalk ground worked smooth beneath the metal so the leaf sits flawlessly. Real leaf reflects light directionally, giving the beading depth that gold paint cannot produce.
Frame Colour
Champagne, softly aged patina
Closer to antique brass than bright gilt. Warm enough for a period fireplace, restrained enough for a plain contemporary room.
Frame Material
Paulownia wood
A low-density, dimensionally stable hardwood. It keeps a mirror of this size to 10.45 kg, which matters on a chimney breast that may be studded rather than solid.
Glass Type
Plain
No bevel, no tint. The beaded gilt frame carries all the detail, leaving the reflection clean and uninterrupted.
Type
Overmantel, wall mounted
Designed for the wall above a mantel shelf, though it hangs equally well above a console, sideboard or chest of drawers.
Hanging Orientation
One way
Fixed D-rings. Level the fixings at the outset, since the arch makes any error immediately visible.
Weight
10.45 kg
Wall plugs and rated screws into masonry, hollow-wall anchors or a stud fixing on plasterboard. Check whether the breast is solid or studded out before drilling.
Best For
Living room, dining room, hallway, bedroom
Any console, sideboard, chest or mantel that needs light and a focal point above it. For alcove and chimney breast styling, see our alcove styling guide.
Delivery
| Service | Timescale | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 3-5 working days | Free |
| Next working day | Order before 4pm | £5.95 |
UK mainland only. Orders placed on weekends or bank holidays are dispatched the next working day.
We are unable to deliver to Northern Ireland, the Scottish Isles, Jersey, Guernsey, the Isle of Wight, the Isle of Man, or the Isles of Scilly. Full delivery information.
Returns
28-day returns policy. Contact us within 28 days of receipt if you are not happy with your order.
Items must be returned unused and in their original packaging. Our UK-based team will guide you through the process. Full returns information.
Arched Overmantel Mirror MR503G: Questions Answered
What size mantel shelf does it suit?
Roughly 1100 mm to 1300 mm. The convention is that an overmantel spans about two thirds to three quarters of the shelf beneath it, and at 850 mm wide this one lands in that range for most standard surrounds. On a shelf much wider than 1300 mm it will start to look undersized.
How high above the shelf should it hang?
Leave 100 mm to 150 mm of clear wall between the top of the mantel and the bottom of the frame. Any tighter and the mirror looks as though it is resting on the shelf. Remember to allow for the full 1100 mm height above that gap, which on a low ceiling can bring the arch close to a picture rail.
Can I hang it above a working fire or a wood burner?
A mantel shelf deflects most of the rising heat, which is what it is for. Above a stove or an open fire, follow the clearance guidance from the appliance manufacturer, and avoid any position where timber and gilding would sit in direct or sustained heat. If you are unsure, ask your installer, since clearances vary by appliance.
Do I need a fireplace to use it?
No. It hangs well above a console table, a sideboard or a chest of drawers, and it works particularly well on the wall where a fireplace used to be. Rooms that have lost their fireplace usually still want a focal point on that wall.
What is gesso, and why does the frame need it?
Gesso is a chalk-based ground brushed over the timber and sanded smooth before gilding. Gold leaf is thin enough to show every mark in the wood beneath it, so the gesso fills and levels the grain first. It is the reason a gilded frame has depth rather than just colour.
How is champagne different from gold?
It is paler and warmer, with the patina worked back so the finish reads closer to antique brass than bright yellow gilt. That restraint is what lets the mirror sit in a plain contemporary room without looking like a reproduction.
How do I clean it?
Dust the frame with a dry, soft cloth. Nothing damp, no polish and nothing abrasive, as gilded finishes are easily marked. For the glass, dampen a cloth away from the mirror and wipe, rather than spraying anything directly at the frame.
What fixings does it need?
Something rated for 10.45 kg. Wall plugs and suitable screws into masonry, or hollow-wall anchors or a fixing into a stud on plasterboard. Chimney breasts are often solid but are sometimes studded out and boarded, so check before drilling. The D-rings are fixed for one-way hanging, so get them level first time.
Will every frame look the same?
No. The leaf is laid and the patina worked by hand, so the depth of gilding and the way the finish wears over the beading differ from piece to piece and from the product photography. Expect a family resemblance rather than an exact match.
What are the full specifications?
Dimensions: 1100 mm (H) x 850 mm (W) x 42 mm (D). Shape: arched. Type: overmantel, wall mounted. Frame: paulownia wood, gessoed with hand-applied gold leaf in an aged champagne patina. Glass: plain, no bevel. Materials: paulownia wood, glass, MDF. Hanging orientation: one way. Fixing: D-ring. Weight: 10.45 kg.
Making the Most of a Chimney Breast
Hang it where it can catch a window rather than a blank wall, and centre it on the breast instead of the room. Keep what sits on the mantel low, so the shelf reads as a base for the mirror rather than competing with it. For more on building a living room around its focal wall:
Overview
An Arched Overmantel Mirror in Hand-Gilded Champagne Gold
A beaded overmantel mirror made for the wall above a fireplace, gessoed and finished in hand-applied gold leaf with a softly aged champagne patina. At 850 mm wide it suits a console, sideboard, chest or mantel of roughly 1100 mm to 1300 mm, and the arched top breaks up a wall otherwise built from straight lines. 1100 mm tall, 850 mm wide, 42 mm deep, 10.45 kg. Paulownia wood, glass and MDF. Plain glass, D-ring fixing, one-way hanging.
What This Mirror Does for a Wall
- It lights a dull wall: The space above furniture is often the least lit plane in a room. A mirror there returns daylight and lamplight instead of absorbing them.
- It breaks the run of straight lines: Doorframes, skirting, shelving, the furniture below. The arch is usually the only curve on that wall, which is what makes it read as deliberate.
- It is sized for furniture: 850 mm spans roughly two thirds of a console, sideboard, chest or mantel of 1100 mm to 1300 mm, the proportion mirrors hang best at.
- It is gilded, not painted: Hand-applied gold leaf over a gesso ground, so the beading catches light along one edge and shadows along the other.
- It reads warm rather than shiny: The champagne patina sits closer to antique brass than bright gilt, so it suits plain modern rooms as well as period ones.
- It hangs one way: Fixed D-rings, 10.45 kg. Level the fixings first time, and check whether the breast is masonry or studwork before drilling.
Where It Works Best
Above a hallway console where the arch answers a fanlight over the door. Over a dining sideboard, returning candlelight across the table. Above a bedroom chest, hung low enough to still be useful. On the wall a fireplace would have occupied in a room that no longer has one. For chimney breast and feature wall arrangements, our media wall styling guide covers the layout.
Description
What an Arched Mirror Adds to a Room
A mirror hung above furniture sits higher than eye level, which changes what it is for. Nobody stands in front of one to check an outfit. What it returns instead is the ceiling, the far wall and whatever light is in the room behind you, and it does that from the plane most walls have the least of: the space above a shelf, a console or a chest. That is why a mirror in this position brightens a room in a way that one hung lower does not. It is working on the light rather than on the reflection.
The arch is the other half of it. Rooms are built almost entirely from straight lines and right angles, and the walls we hang things on tend to be the worst offenders: doorframes, skirting, shelving, screens, the furniture underneath. A curved top interrupts all of that with one gesture. It is also a shape with some history behind it, borrowed from windows and openings, which is why an arched frame reads as considered rather than novel. At 1100 mm tall and 850 mm wide the proportions are generous without dominating a standard wall.
1100 mm tall, 850 mm wide, 42 mm deep, 10.45 kg. Plain glass, beaded paulownia frame, gessoed and finished in hand-applied gold leaf with an aged champagne patina, on an MDF backing with D-rings fitted. For the same finish at full length standing on the floor, the Hand Crafted Antique Style Leaner Mirror in Cream covers the leaner format in a softer painted tone.
What Makes This Mirror Work
- Generous but manageable proportions. 1100 mm tall by 850 mm wide. Large enough to hold a wall on its own, contained enough to sit above a console, sideboard, chest or mantel without crowding what is underneath.
- An arch against all those straight lines. Most of what surrounds a mirror is square-edged. The curve is usually the only thing on that wall that is not, which is what makes it read as deliberate.
- Hand-applied gold leaf over gesso. Real metal laid onto a chalk ground worked smooth beneath it. Leaf reflects light directionally, so the beading is bright along one edge and shadowed along the other.
- Champagne, not bright gold. The patina is taken back to something closer to antique brass. Warm enough for a period room, restrained enough for a plain modern one.
- Light where a room tends to need it. The wall above furniture is often the dullest surface in the room. A mirror there returns daylight and lamplight rather than absorbing them.
- 10.45 kg on two D-rings. Paulownia keeps the weight sensible for the size. One-way hanging, so the fixings need to be level first time.
How High to Hang It and What to Hang It Above
The working rule for a mirror above furniture is that it should span roughly two thirds to three quarters of the piece beneath it. At 850 mm wide this one suits consoles, sideboards, chests and mantel shelves between about 1100 mm and 1300 mm, which covers most of what people hang mirrors above. Leave 100 mm to 150 mm of clear wall between the top of the furniture and the bottom of the frame, so the mirror sits above it rather than on it. Centre it on the furniture rather than on the room. And allow for the full 1100 mm height plus that gap before marking anything, since on a low ceiling the arch can end up crowding a picture rail.
Where It Works Best
Above a hallway console, where the arch answers a front door with a fanlight and the mirror doubles the daylight coming in with it. In a dining room over a sideboard, bouncing candlelight back across the table. Above a bedroom chest of drawers, hung slightly lower than usual so it can still be used properly. On a landing opposite a window, where it has something worth returning. Above a fireplace, which is the position the overmantel proportions were originally drawn for, and equally on the wall where a fireplace used to be in a room that still wants a focal point.
What to Know Before You Order
- Fixings for 10.45 kg, level first time. Wall plugs and rated screws into masonry, hollow-wall anchors or a stud on plasterboard. Chimney breasts and older walls can be studded out rather than solid, so check before you drill. One-way hanging means there is no adjusting the balance afterwards.
- Gilding is dusted, never sprayed. A dry soft cloth on the frame. No polish, no damp cloth, nothing abrasive. Dampen a cloth away from the mirror if you need to clean the glass, rather than spraying anything onto it.
- Every frame ages differently. The leaf is laid and the patina worked by hand, so depth and wear vary between pieces and against the photography. That is what separates a hand-finished frame from a sprayed one.
- If it is going above a working fire. A mantel shelf deflects most rising heat, which is what it is there for. Above a stove or an open fire, follow the appliance manufacturer's clearance guidance and avoid any position where timber and gilding would sit in direct or sustained heat.
Specifications
1100 x 850 x 42 mm
Dimensions
Paulownia / Glass / MDF
Materials
Champagne Gold Leaf
Finish
Overmantel
Type
D-Ring
Fixing
10.45 kg
Weight
Specification
Details
Purpose / Benefit
Dimensions
1100 mm (H) x 850 mm (W) x 42 mm (D)
The 850 mm width spans roughly two thirds of a console, sideboard, chest or mantel shelf of 1100 mm to 1300 mm, which is the proportion mirrors hang best at.
Shape
Arched top
Interrupts a wall otherwise built from straight lines: doorframes, skirting, shelving and the furniture beneath it. Borrowed from windows and openings rather than invented.
Finish
Hand-applied gold leaf over gesso
Gesso is a chalk ground worked smooth beneath the metal so the leaf sits flawlessly. Real leaf reflects light directionally, giving the beading depth that gold paint cannot produce.
Frame Colour
Champagne, softly aged patina
Closer to antique brass than bright gilt. Warm enough for a period fireplace, restrained enough for a plain contemporary room.
Frame Material
Paulownia wood
A low-density, dimensionally stable hardwood. It keeps a mirror of this size to 10.45 kg, which matters on a chimney breast that may be studded rather than solid.
Glass Type
Plain
No bevel, no tint. The beaded gilt frame carries all the detail, leaving the reflection clean and uninterrupted.
Type
Overmantel, wall mounted
Designed for the wall above a mantel shelf, though it hangs equally well above a console, sideboard or chest of drawers.
Hanging Orientation
One way
Fixed D-rings. Level the fixings at the outset, since the arch makes any error immediately visible.
Weight
10.45 kg
Wall plugs and rated screws into masonry, hollow-wall anchors or a stud fixing on plasterboard. Check whether the breast is solid or studded out before drilling.
Best For
Living room, dining room, hallway, bedroom
Any console, sideboard, chest or mantel that needs light and a focal point above it. For alcove and chimney breast styling, see our alcove styling guide.
Delivery & Returns
Delivery
| Service | Timescale | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 3-5 working days | Free |
| Next working day | Order before 4pm | £5.95 |
UK mainland only. Orders placed on weekends or bank holidays are dispatched the next working day.
We are unable to deliver to Northern Ireland, the Scottish Isles, Jersey, Guernsey, the Isle of Wight, the Isle of Man, or the Isles of Scilly. Full delivery information.
Returns
28-day returns policy. Contact us within 28 days of receipt if you are not happy with your order.
Items must be returned unused and in their original packaging. Our UK-based team will guide you through the process. Full returns information.
FAQs
Arched Overmantel Mirror MR503G: Questions Answered
What size mantel shelf does it suit?
Roughly 1100 mm to 1300 mm. The convention is that an overmantel spans about two thirds to three quarters of the shelf beneath it, and at 850 mm wide this one lands in that range for most standard surrounds. On a shelf much wider than 1300 mm it will start to look undersized.
How high above the shelf should it hang?
Leave 100 mm to 150 mm of clear wall between the top of the mantel and the bottom of the frame. Any tighter and the mirror looks as though it is resting on the shelf. Remember to allow for the full 1100 mm height above that gap, which on a low ceiling can bring the arch close to a picture rail.
Can I hang it above a working fire or a wood burner?
A mantel shelf deflects most of the rising heat, which is what it is for. Above a stove or an open fire, follow the clearance guidance from the appliance manufacturer, and avoid any position where timber and gilding would sit in direct or sustained heat. If you are unsure, ask your installer, since clearances vary by appliance.
Do I need a fireplace to use it?
No. It hangs well above a console table, a sideboard or a chest of drawers, and it works particularly well on the wall where a fireplace used to be. Rooms that have lost their fireplace usually still want a focal point on that wall.
What is gesso, and why does the frame need it?
Gesso is a chalk-based ground brushed over the timber and sanded smooth before gilding. Gold leaf is thin enough to show every mark in the wood beneath it, so the gesso fills and levels the grain first. It is the reason a gilded frame has depth rather than just colour.
How is champagne different from gold?
It is paler and warmer, with the patina worked back so the finish reads closer to antique brass than bright yellow gilt. That restraint is what lets the mirror sit in a plain contemporary room without looking like a reproduction.
How do I clean it?
Dust the frame with a dry, soft cloth. Nothing damp, no polish and nothing abrasive, as gilded finishes are easily marked. For the glass, dampen a cloth away from the mirror and wipe, rather than spraying anything directly at the frame.
What fixings does it need?
Something rated for 10.45 kg. Wall plugs and suitable screws into masonry, or hollow-wall anchors or a fixing into a stud on plasterboard. Chimney breasts are often solid but are sometimes studded out and boarded, so check before drilling. The D-rings are fixed for one-way hanging, so get them level first time.
Will every frame look the same?
No. The leaf is laid and the patina worked by hand, so the depth of gilding and the way the finish wears over the beading differ from piece to piece and from the product photography. Expect a family resemblance rather than an exact match.
What are the full specifications?
Dimensions: 1100 mm (H) x 850 mm (W) x 42 mm (D). Shape: arched. Type: overmantel, wall mounted. Frame: paulownia wood, gessoed with hand-applied gold leaf in an aged champagne patina. Glass: plain, no bevel. Materials: paulownia wood, glass, MDF. Hanging orientation: one way. Fixing: D-ring. Weight: 10.45 kg.
Knowledge Hub
Making the Most of a Chimney Breast
Hang it where it can catch a window rather than a blank wall, and centre it on the breast instead of the room. Keep what sits on the mantel low, so the shelf reads as a base for the mirror rather than competing with it. For more on building a living room around its focal wall:
Antique Gold Arched Beaded Overmantle Mirror
Product code: MR503G
What an Arched Mirror Adds to a Room
A mirror hung above furniture sits higher than eye level, which changes what it is for. Nobody stands in front o...
Inc. VAT
£176.00
Ex. VAT
£146.67
Pre-order
Order now, dispatch on or before 28th Nov 2026
Overview
Description
Specifications
Delivery & Returns
FAQs
Knowledge Hub
An Arched Overmantel Mirror in Hand-Gilded Champagne Gold
A beaded overmantel mirror made for the wall above a fireplace, gessoed and finished in hand-applied gold leaf with a softly aged champagne patina. At 850 mm wide it suits a console, sideboard, chest or mantel of roughly 1100 mm to 1300 mm, and the arched top breaks up a wall otherwise built from straight lines. 1100 mm tall, 850 mm wide, 42 mm deep, 10.45 kg. Paulownia wood, glass and MDF. Plain glass, D-ring fixing, one-way hanging.
What This Mirror Does for a Wall
- It lights a dull wall: The space above furniture is often the least lit plane in a room. A mirror there returns daylight and lamplight instead of absorbing them.
- It breaks the run of straight lines: Doorframes, skirting, shelving, the furniture below. The arch is usually the only curve on that wall, which is what makes it read as deliberate.
- It is sized for furniture: 850 mm spans roughly two thirds of a console, sideboard, chest or mantel of 1100 mm to 1300 mm, the proportion mirrors hang best at.
- It is gilded, not painted: Hand-applied gold leaf over a gesso ground, so the beading catches light along one edge and shadows along the other.
- It reads warm rather than shiny: The champagne patina sits closer to antique brass than bright gilt, so it suits plain modern rooms as well as period ones.
- It hangs one way: Fixed D-rings, 10.45 kg. Level the fixings first time, and check whether the breast is masonry or studwork before drilling.
Where It Works Best
Above a hallway console where the arch answers a fanlight over the door. Over a dining sideboard, returning candlelight across the table. Above a bedroom chest, hung low enough to still be useful. On the wall a fireplace would have occupied in a room that no longer has one. For chimney breast and feature wall arrangements, our media wall styling guide covers the layout.
What an Arched Mirror Adds to a Room
A mirror hung above furniture sits higher than eye level, which changes what it is for. Nobody stands in front of one to check an outfit. What it returns instead is the ceiling, the far wall and whatever light is in the room behind you, and it does that from the plane most walls have the least of: the space above a shelf, a console or a chest. That is why a mirror in this position brightens a room in a way that one hung lower does not. It is working on the light rather than on the reflection.
The arch is the other half of it. Rooms are built almost entirely from straight lines and right angles, and the walls we hang things on tend to be the worst offenders: doorframes, skirting, shelving, screens, the furniture underneath. A curved top interrupts all of that with one gesture. It is also a shape with some history behind it, borrowed from windows and openings, which is why an arched frame reads as considered rather than novel. At 1100 mm tall and 850 mm wide the proportions are generous without dominating a standard wall.
1100 mm tall, 850 mm wide, 42 mm deep, 10.45 kg. Plain glass, beaded paulownia frame, gessoed and finished in hand-applied gold leaf with an aged champagne patina, on an MDF backing with D-rings fitted. For the same finish at full length standing on the floor, the Hand Crafted Antique Style Leaner Mirror in Cream covers the leaner format in a softer painted tone.
What Makes This Mirror Work
- Generous but manageable proportions. 1100 mm tall by 850 mm wide. Large enough to hold a wall on its own, contained enough to sit above a console, sideboard, chest or mantel without crowding what is underneath.
- An arch against all those straight lines. Most of what surrounds a mirror is square-edged. The curve is usually the only thing on that wall that is not, which is what makes it read as deliberate.
- Hand-applied gold leaf over gesso. Real metal laid onto a chalk ground worked smooth beneath it. Leaf reflects light directionally, so the beading is bright along one edge and shadowed along the other.
- Champagne, not bright gold. The patina is taken back to something closer to antique brass. Warm enough for a period room, restrained enough for a plain modern one.
- Light where a room tends to need it. The wall above furniture is often the dullest surface in the room. A mirror there returns daylight and lamplight rather than absorbing them.
- 10.45 kg on two D-rings. Paulownia keeps the weight sensible for the size. One-way hanging, so the fixings need to be level first time.
How High to Hang It and What to Hang It Above
The working rule for a mirror above furniture is that it should span roughly two thirds to three quarters of the piece beneath it. At 850 mm wide this one suits consoles, sideboards, chests and mantel shelves between about 1100 mm and 1300 mm, which covers most of what people hang mirrors above. Leave 100 mm to 150 mm of clear wall between the top of the furniture and the bottom of the frame, so the mirror sits above it rather than on it. Centre it on the furniture rather than on the room. And allow for the full 1100 mm height plus that gap before marking anything, since on a low ceiling the arch can end up crowding a picture rail.
Where It Works Best
Above a hallway console, where the arch answers a front door with a fanlight and the mirror doubles the daylight coming in with it. In a dining room over a sideboard, bouncing candlelight back across the table. Above a bedroom chest of drawers, hung slightly lower than usual so it can still be used properly. On a landing opposite a window, where it has something worth returning. Above a fireplace, which is the position the overmantel proportions were originally drawn for, and equally on the wall where a fireplace used to be in a room that still wants a focal point.
What to Know Before You Order
- Fixings for 10.45 kg, level first time. Wall plugs and rated screws into masonry, hollow-wall anchors or a stud on plasterboard. Chimney breasts and older walls can be studded out rather than solid, so check before you drill. One-way hanging means there is no adjusting the balance afterwards.
- Gilding is dusted, never sprayed. A dry soft cloth on the frame. No polish, no damp cloth, nothing abrasive. Dampen a cloth away from the mirror if you need to clean the glass, rather than spraying anything onto it.
- Every frame ages differently. The leaf is laid and the patina worked by hand, so depth and wear vary between pieces and against the photography. That is what separates a hand-finished frame from a sprayed one.
- If it is going above a working fire. A mantel shelf deflects most rising heat, which is what it is there for. Above a stove or an open fire, follow the appliance manufacturer's clearance guidance and avoid any position where timber and gilding would sit in direct or sustained heat.
1100 x 850 x 42 mm
Dimensions
Paulownia / Glass / MDF
Materials
Champagne Gold Leaf
Finish
Overmantel
Type
D-Ring
Fixing
10.45 kg
Weight
Specification
Details
Purpose / Benefit
Dimensions
1100 mm (H) x 850 mm (W) x 42 mm (D)
The 850 mm width spans roughly two thirds of a console, sideboard, chest or mantel shelf of 1100 mm to 1300 mm, which is the proportion mirrors hang best at.
Shape
Arched top
Interrupts a wall otherwise built from straight lines: doorframes, skirting, shelving and the furniture beneath it. Borrowed from windows and openings rather than invented.
Finish
Hand-applied gold leaf over gesso
Gesso is a chalk ground worked smooth beneath the metal so the leaf sits flawlessly. Real leaf reflects light directionally, giving the beading depth that gold paint cannot produce.
Frame Colour
Champagne, softly aged patina
Closer to antique brass than bright gilt. Warm enough for a period fireplace, restrained enough for a plain contemporary room.
Frame Material
Paulownia wood
A low-density, dimensionally stable hardwood. It keeps a mirror of this size to 10.45 kg, which matters on a chimney breast that may be studded rather than solid.
Glass Type
Plain
No bevel, no tint. The beaded gilt frame carries all the detail, leaving the reflection clean and uninterrupted.
Type
Overmantel, wall mounted
Designed for the wall above a mantel shelf, though it hangs equally well above a console, sideboard or chest of drawers.
Hanging Orientation
One way
Fixed D-rings. Level the fixings at the outset, since the arch makes any error immediately visible.
Weight
10.45 kg
Wall plugs and rated screws into masonry, hollow-wall anchors or a stud fixing on plasterboard. Check whether the breast is solid or studded out before drilling.
Best For
Living room, dining room, hallway, bedroom
Any console, sideboard, chest or mantel that needs light and a focal point above it. For alcove and chimney breast styling, see our alcove styling guide.
Delivery
| Service | Timescale | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 3-5 working days | Free |
| Next working day | Order before 4pm | £5.95 |
UK mainland only. Orders placed on weekends or bank holidays are dispatched the next working day.
We are unable to deliver to Northern Ireland, the Scottish Isles, Jersey, Guernsey, the Isle of Wight, the Isle of Man, or the Isles of Scilly. Full delivery information.
Returns
28-day returns policy. Contact us within 28 days of receipt if you are not happy with your order.
Items must be returned unused and in their original packaging. Our UK-based team will guide you through the process. Full returns information.
Arched Overmantel Mirror MR503G: Questions Answered
What size mantel shelf does it suit?
Roughly 1100 mm to 1300 mm. The convention is that an overmantel spans about two thirds to three quarters of the shelf beneath it, and at 850 mm wide this one lands in that range for most standard surrounds. On a shelf much wider than 1300 mm it will start to look undersized.
How high above the shelf should it hang?
Leave 100 mm to 150 mm of clear wall between the top of the mantel and the bottom of the frame. Any tighter and the mirror looks as though it is resting on the shelf. Remember to allow for the full 1100 mm height above that gap, which on a low ceiling can bring the arch close to a picture rail.
Can I hang it above a working fire or a wood burner?
A mantel shelf deflects most of the rising heat, which is what it is for. Above a stove or an open fire, follow the clearance guidance from the appliance manufacturer, and avoid any position where timber and gilding would sit in direct or sustained heat. If you are unsure, ask your installer, since clearances vary by appliance.
Do I need a fireplace to use it?
No. It hangs well above a console table, a sideboard or a chest of drawers, and it works particularly well on the wall where a fireplace used to be. Rooms that have lost their fireplace usually still want a focal point on that wall.
What is gesso, and why does the frame need it?
Gesso is a chalk-based ground brushed over the timber and sanded smooth before gilding. Gold leaf is thin enough to show every mark in the wood beneath it, so the gesso fills and levels the grain first. It is the reason a gilded frame has depth rather than just colour.
How is champagne different from gold?
It is paler and warmer, with the patina worked back so the finish reads closer to antique brass than bright yellow gilt. That restraint is what lets the mirror sit in a plain contemporary room without looking like a reproduction.
How do I clean it?
Dust the frame with a dry, soft cloth. Nothing damp, no polish and nothing abrasive, as gilded finishes are easily marked. For the glass, dampen a cloth away from the mirror and wipe, rather than spraying anything directly at the frame.
What fixings does it need?
Something rated for 10.45 kg. Wall plugs and suitable screws into masonry, or hollow-wall anchors or a fixing into a stud on plasterboard. Chimney breasts are often solid but are sometimes studded out and boarded, so check before drilling. The D-rings are fixed for one-way hanging, so get them level first time.
Will every frame look the same?
No. The leaf is laid and the patina worked by hand, so the depth of gilding and the way the finish wears over the beading differ from piece to piece and from the product photography. Expect a family resemblance rather than an exact match.
What are the full specifications?
Dimensions: 1100 mm (H) x 850 mm (W) x 42 mm (D). Shape: arched. Type: overmantel, wall mounted. Frame: paulownia wood, gessoed with hand-applied gold leaf in an aged champagne patina. Glass: plain, no bevel. Materials: paulownia wood, glass, MDF. Hanging orientation: one way. Fixing: D-ring. Weight: 10.45 kg.
Making the Most of a Chimney Breast
Hang it where it can catch a window rather than a blank wall, and centre it on the breast instead of the room. Keep what sits on the mantel low, so the shelf reads as a base for the mirror rather than competing with it. For more on building a living room around its focal wall:
Overview
An Arched Overmantel Mirror in Hand-Gilded Champagne Gold
A beaded overmantel mirror made for the wall above a fireplace, gessoed and finished in hand-applied gold leaf with a softly aged champagne patina. At 850 mm wide it suits a console, sideboard, chest or mantel of roughly 1100 mm to 1300 mm, and the arched top breaks up a wall otherwise built from straight lines. 1100 mm tall, 850 mm wide, 42 mm deep, 10.45 kg. Paulownia wood, glass and MDF. Plain glass, D-ring fixing, one-way hanging.
What This Mirror Does for a Wall
- It lights a dull wall: The space above furniture is often the least lit plane in a room. A mirror there returns daylight and lamplight instead of absorbing them.
- It breaks the run of straight lines: Doorframes, skirting, shelving, the furniture below. The arch is usually the only curve on that wall, which is what makes it read as deliberate.
- It is sized for furniture: 850 mm spans roughly two thirds of a console, sideboard, chest or mantel of 1100 mm to 1300 mm, the proportion mirrors hang best at.
- It is gilded, not painted: Hand-applied gold leaf over a gesso ground, so the beading catches light along one edge and shadows along the other.
- It reads warm rather than shiny: The champagne patina sits closer to antique brass than bright gilt, so it suits plain modern rooms as well as period ones.
- It hangs one way: Fixed D-rings, 10.45 kg. Level the fixings first time, and check whether the breast is masonry or studwork before drilling.
Where It Works Best
Above a hallway console where the arch answers a fanlight over the door. Over a dining sideboard, returning candlelight across the table. Above a bedroom chest, hung low enough to still be useful. On the wall a fireplace would have occupied in a room that no longer has one. For chimney breast and feature wall arrangements, our media wall styling guide covers the layout.
Description
What an Arched Mirror Adds to a Room
A mirror hung above furniture sits higher than eye level, which changes what it is for. Nobody stands in front of one to check an outfit. What it returns instead is the ceiling, the far wall and whatever light is in the room behind you, and it does that from the plane most walls have the least of: the space above a shelf, a console or a chest. That is why a mirror in this position brightens a room in a way that one hung lower does not. It is working on the light rather than on the reflection.
The arch is the other half of it. Rooms are built almost entirely from straight lines and right angles, and the walls we hang things on tend to be the worst offenders: doorframes, skirting, shelving, screens, the furniture underneath. A curved top interrupts all of that with one gesture. It is also a shape with some history behind it, borrowed from windows and openings, which is why an arched frame reads as considered rather than novel. At 1100 mm tall and 850 mm wide the proportions are generous without dominating a standard wall.
1100 mm tall, 850 mm wide, 42 mm deep, 10.45 kg. Plain glass, beaded paulownia frame, gessoed and finished in hand-applied gold leaf with an aged champagne patina, on an MDF backing with D-rings fitted. For the same finish at full length standing on the floor, the Hand Crafted Antique Style Leaner Mirror in Cream covers the leaner format in a softer painted tone.
What Makes This Mirror Work
- Generous but manageable proportions. 1100 mm tall by 850 mm wide. Large enough to hold a wall on its own, contained enough to sit above a console, sideboard, chest or mantel without crowding what is underneath.
- An arch against all those straight lines. Most of what surrounds a mirror is square-edged. The curve is usually the only thing on that wall that is not, which is what makes it read as deliberate.
- Hand-applied gold leaf over gesso. Real metal laid onto a chalk ground worked smooth beneath it. Leaf reflects light directionally, so the beading is bright along one edge and shadowed along the other.
- Champagne, not bright gold. The patina is taken back to something closer to antique brass. Warm enough for a period room, restrained enough for a plain modern one.
- Light where a room tends to need it. The wall above furniture is often the dullest surface in the room. A mirror there returns daylight and lamplight rather than absorbing them.
- 10.45 kg on two D-rings. Paulownia keeps the weight sensible for the size. One-way hanging, so the fixings need to be level first time.
How High to Hang It and What to Hang It Above
The working rule for a mirror above furniture is that it should span roughly two thirds to three quarters of the piece beneath it. At 850 mm wide this one suits consoles, sideboards, chests and mantel shelves between about 1100 mm and 1300 mm, which covers most of what people hang mirrors above. Leave 100 mm to 150 mm of clear wall between the top of the furniture and the bottom of the frame, so the mirror sits above it rather than on it. Centre it on the furniture rather than on the room. And allow for the full 1100 mm height plus that gap before marking anything, since on a low ceiling the arch can end up crowding a picture rail.
Where It Works Best
Above a hallway console, where the arch answers a front door with a fanlight and the mirror doubles the daylight coming in with it. In a dining room over a sideboard, bouncing candlelight back across the table. Above a bedroom chest of drawers, hung slightly lower than usual so it can still be used properly. On a landing opposite a window, where it has something worth returning. Above a fireplace, which is the position the overmantel proportions were originally drawn for, and equally on the wall where a fireplace used to be in a room that still wants a focal point.
What to Know Before You Order
- Fixings for 10.45 kg, level first time. Wall plugs and rated screws into masonry, hollow-wall anchors or a stud on plasterboard. Chimney breasts and older walls can be studded out rather than solid, so check before you drill. One-way hanging means there is no adjusting the balance afterwards.
- Gilding is dusted, never sprayed. A dry soft cloth on the frame. No polish, no damp cloth, nothing abrasive. Dampen a cloth away from the mirror if you need to clean the glass, rather than spraying anything onto it.
- Every frame ages differently. The leaf is laid and the patina worked by hand, so depth and wear vary between pieces and against the photography. That is what separates a hand-finished frame from a sprayed one.
- If it is going above a working fire. A mantel shelf deflects most rising heat, which is what it is there for. Above a stove or an open fire, follow the appliance manufacturer's clearance guidance and avoid any position where timber and gilding would sit in direct or sustained heat.
Specifications
1100 x 850 x 42 mm
Dimensions
Paulownia / Glass / MDF
Materials
Champagne Gold Leaf
Finish
Overmantel
Type
D-Ring
Fixing
10.45 kg
Weight
Specification
Details
Purpose / Benefit
Dimensions
1100 mm (H) x 850 mm (W) x 42 mm (D)
The 850 mm width spans roughly two thirds of a console, sideboard, chest or mantel shelf of 1100 mm to 1300 mm, which is the proportion mirrors hang best at.
Shape
Arched top
Interrupts a wall otherwise built from straight lines: doorframes, skirting, shelving and the furniture beneath it. Borrowed from windows and openings rather than invented.
Finish
Hand-applied gold leaf over gesso
Gesso is a chalk ground worked smooth beneath the metal so the leaf sits flawlessly. Real leaf reflects light directionally, giving the beading depth that gold paint cannot produce.
Frame Colour
Champagne, softly aged patina
Closer to antique brass than bright gilt. Warm enough for a period fireplace, restrained enough for a plain contemporary room.
Frame Material
Paulownia wood
A low-density, dimensionally stable hardwood. It keeps a mirror of this size to 10.45 kg, which matters on a chimney breast that may be studded rather than solid.
Glass Type
Plain
No bevel, no tint. The beaded gilt frame carries all the detail, leaving the reflection clean and uninterrupted.
Type
Overmantel, wall mounted
Designed for the wall above a mantel shelf, though it hangs equally well above a console, sideboard or chest of drawers.
Hanging Orientation
One way
Fixed D-rings. Level the fixings at the outset, since the arch makes any error immediately visible.
Weight
10.45 kg
Wall plugs and rated screws into masonry, hollow-wall anchors or a stud fixing on plasterboard. Check whether the breast is solid or studded out before drilling.
Best For
Living room, dining room, hallway, bedroom
Any console, sideboard, chest or mantel that needs light and a focal point above it. For alcove and chimney breast styling, see our alcove styling guide.
Delivery & Returns
Delivery
| Service | Timescale | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 3-5 working days | Free |
| Next working day | Order before 4pm | £5.95 |
UK mainland only. Orders placed on weekends or bank holidays are dispatched the next working day.
We are unable to deliver to Northern Ireland, the Scottish Isles, Jersey, Guernsey, the Isle of Wight, the Isle of Man, or the Isles of Scilly. Full delivery information.
Returns
28-day returns policy. Contact us within 28 days of receipt if you are not happy with your order.
Items must be returned unused and in their original packaging. Our UK-based team will guide you through the process. Full returns information.
FAQs
Arched Overmantel Mirror MR503G: Questions Answered
What size mantel shelf does it suit?
Roughly 1100 mm to 1300 mm. The convention is that an overmantel spans about two thirds to three quarters of the shelf beneath it, and at 850 mm wide this one lands in that range for most standard surrounds. On a shelf much wider than 1300 mm it will start to look undersized.
How high above the shelf should it hang?
Leave 100 mm to 150 mm of clear wall between the top of the mantel and the bottom of the frame. Any tighter and the mirror looks as though it is resting on the shelf. Remember to allow for the full 1100 mm height above that gap, which on a low ceiling can bring the arch close to a picture rail.
Can I hang it above a working fire or a wood burner?
A mantel shelf deflects most of the rising heat, which is what it is for. Above a stove or an open fire, follow the clearance guidance from the appliance manufacturer, and avoid any position where timber and gilding would sit in direct or sustained heat. If you are unsure, ask your installer, since clearances vary by appliance.
Do I need a fireplace to use it?
No. It hangs well above a console table, a sideboard or a chest of drawers, and it works particularly well on the wall where a fireplace used to be. Rooms that have lost their fireplace usually still want a focal point on that wall.
What is gesso, and why does the frame need it?
Gesso is a chalk-based ground brushed over the timber and sanded smooth before gilding. Gold leaf is thin enough to show every mark in the wood beneath it, so the gesso fills and levels the grain first. It is the reason a gilded frame has depth rather than just colour.
How is champagne different from gold?
It is paler and warmer, with the patina worked back so the finish reads closer to antique brass than bright yellow gilt. That restraint is what lets the mirror sit in a plain contemporary room without looking like a reproduction.
How do I clean it?
Dust the frame with a dry, soft cloth. Nothing damp, no polish and nothing abrasive, as gilded finishes are easily marked. For the glass, dampen a cloth away from the mirror and wipe, rather than spraying anything directly at the frame.
What fixings does it need?
Something rated for 10.45 kg. Wall plugs and suitable screws into masonry, or hollow-wall anchors or a fixing into a stud on plasterboard. Chimney breasts are often solid but are sometimes studded out and boarded, so check before drilling. The D-rings are fixed for one-way hanging, so get them level first time.
Will every frame look the same?
No. The leaf is laid and the patina worked by hand, so the depth of gilding and the way the finish wears over the beading differ from piece to piece and from the product photography. Expect a family resemblance rather than an exact match.
What are the full specifications?
Dimensions: 1100 mm (H) x 850 mm (W) x 42 mm (D). Shape: arched. Type: overmantel, wall mounted. Frame: paulownia wood, gessoed with hand-applied gold leaf in an aged champagne patina. Glass: plain, no bevel. Materials: paulownia wood, glass, MDF. Hanging orientation: one way. Fixing: D-ring. Weight: 10.45 kg.
Knowledge Hub
Making the Most of a Chimney Breast
Hang it where it can catch a window rather than a blank wall, and centre it on the breast instead of the room. Keep what sits on the mantel low, so the shelf reads as a base for the mirror rather than competing with it. For more on building a living room around its focal wall:
The Must Have Finishing Touch
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"Absolutely love this mirror, it's timeless. Looks more exepensive than it is and I know I will have it for many years to come."
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