Amalgam

Amalgam is a metal alloy, most often mercury with silver or gold, which was used to coat the surface of objects to give them a mirror-like shine. In decorative art, amalgamation was used to create mirrors, frames, furniture elements, and porcelain figurines. When the alloy was applied to a surface, such as glass or copper, the mercury evaporated, leaving a thin layer of metal—that very shiny effect.

But this technique had its dark side: mercury vapors were poisonous, and many craftsmen suffered from "mirror disease." Despite this, amalgam remained popular until the 19th century, when it was replaced by safer silvering methods. Today, items with amalgam coating are valued as rare artifacts preserving the true shine of past centuries.