subject: Information about Arched Mirror [print this page] Information about Arched Mirror Information about Arched Mirror
Mirrors have been around for thousands of years and have come to fulfill many functions in their various uses. A mirror, simply defined, is any object that contains at least one reflective surface. They are typically used for personal grooming, in which case the term 'looking glass' is most appropriate, but they have many other uses as well.
Mirrors are also commonly used as decorative items and also in different industrial applications. They are found in cameras, lasers, telescopes, flashlights (or torches) and various types of machinery. They are, of course, required equipment in motor vehicles, including motorcycles and bicycles.
Their use in homes is commonplace around the world and they can normally be found in bathrooms, bedrooms, living rooms and entryways. Placing a mirror in any particular room will 'open up' that area by making it appear larger and adding more light. Putting a candle in front of a mirror in a darkened room will nearly double the amount of light (and brightness) in that space. A mirror's reflective abilities make this possible.
Adding a mirror to your home's dcor can make a big aesthetic difference and there are countless types and styles from which to choose. While many mirrors will have a rectangular shape, other shapes are available or can be custom made for your particular application. Some of the different styles include wall mirrors, the popular arched mirror, over the door or overmantle mirrors. There are plane mirrors (flat surface) as well as convex and concave models.
The first functional mirrors were probably simply pools of still water or water collected in a bowl or other suitable vessel. The earliest 'manufactured' looking glasses, dating back some 8000 years, were made from polished volcanic rock (obsidian). A few thousand years later they were typically made from polished metals such as copper and bronze. These, however, weren't capable of delivering as accurate a reflection as the mirrors of today.
Mirrors range in cost from a low or just a few dollars to many thousands for an especially intricate of ornate unit. All are meant to provide the user with a reflection, although not necessarily for the purpose of personal grooming. My favorite (in my modest abode) is an inexpensive rattan-framed model sitting in my living right above the papasan chair cushion where I usually lounge. It's nothing fancy but fits in perfectly with the room's tropical furnishings.
If you need a mirror there are about a gazillion options out there. Online sites offer a wide variety of styles that can suit any budget. Just type in 'mirror' into the search box and off you go!
