Design Mirrors: The Market, from the Ultrafragola to Adnet's Suns

No category of design has seen its value shift as fast as the mirror. A functional object turned feed trophy, it concentrates everything the market loves: the signature, the photogenic quality, the rarity.

The Ultrafragola, a Textbook Case

Ettore Sottsass's undulating pink mirror (Poltronova, 1970) has become the speculative object par excellence: a new reissue around €2,900, vintage examples fetching €8,000 to €15,000 depending on the state of the neon and the shell. Ten years ago, you could find one under €2,000. The tide of copies at €300–500 has only reinforced the premium on the original.

Adnet and the Sun: The French Values

Jacques Adnet's leather-bound mirror (1950s) is reissued by Gubi at around €500–900 depending on the diameter — the original saddler pieces exceed €2,000. The sunburst mirrors in rattan or gilded metal from the 1950s–60s, long handed out at flea markets, now go for €150–600, more for pieces attributed to Line Vautrin — whose small talosel mirrors reach tens of thousands of euros at public sale.

Where the Bargain Hides

The anonymous witch mirror (convex), still at €50–150; the large foxed-mercury bistro mirrors, undervalued against the reissues; and the Italian 1970s productions in smoked glass, whose value is only just beginning to climb. Market rule: on the wall, you pay for the signature — on the floor, the patina is up for negotiation.

Spotted a mirror somewhere? Scan it on Beyit: model, era, value.