Spiegels

Spiegels is the Dutch plural noun for mirrors. A spiegel is a reflective surface that forms a virtual image of an object when light reflects off it. Mirrors are used for viewing, decoration, and various optical applications.

Most contemporary mirrors are back-silvered glass. A glass sheet is coated on the rear with a reflective metal, commonly silver or aluminum, and protected by a coating of paint or lacquer. The reflection comes from the back coating, while the glass provides support and protection. Front-silvered (first-surface) mirrors place the reflective layer on the front surface and are used in some optical devices because they avoid double reflections and colored tints from the glass.

Historically, mirrors began as polished metals and later used glass backed with metal. The modern silvering process, which deposits a metal layer onto the glass, became widespread in the 19th century and remains the standard method. Types include plane, concave, and convex, producing true, magnified, or diminished images.

Common uses include bathroom and wall mirrors in homes, vanity mirrors, decorative objects, and optical instruments. Cleaning should avoid abrasive cloths; use mild cleaners. Safety concerns include breakage; for large installations, tempered glass is often preferred.