A pair of smart mirrors in the style of the famous Scottish designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh arrived at the studio recently. Unfortunately, they were both coming apart near the top.

Mirror glass is often heavier than regular stained glass, which can put pressure on soldered joints.

After examining the mirrors, I suggested to the owner that I could add strengthening strips of steel to the sides to help support the weight.

The damaged copper foil on the curve where the pieces were separating was replaced with black-backed foil, as it would show in the reflection of the mirror. This would tone in with the blacked solder of the design.

I added extra copper foil to the front and back to neaten the design. This was then bead soldered to create a rounded finish to the line, then blacked to match the existing pattern.

The steel strips were added either side, covered with copper foil and soldered.

The client was delighted with the repairs to his mirrors. He was kind enough to send me a photo of them when they were hung up again in his dining room (on the right in the image). I think you’ll agree they look perfect with his matching clock, box and candlesticks. You can also see his Charles Rennie Mackintosh-inspired chairs in the mirrors’ reflections.

This was a fun repair project and made a change from all the stained glass window and Tiffany lamp repairs!