A decorative mirror's frame is often the most overlooked part of the purchase, attention naturally goes to the shape and the glass, leaving the actual material construction unchecked.
Check the Curved Edges Closely
Detailed shapes, like the ear silhouette on the Hana Cat Mirror, are hardest to fake convincingly in solid wood. Look at the curves specifically, grain should follow the natural contour smoothly, a moulded plastic frame often shows a uniform, seamless surface with no grain variation at all.
Tap Test the Frame
A light tap on solid wood produces a denser, more solid sound than a tap on hollow moulded plastic, which tends to sound hollow or slightly resonant. This quick test works well on small decorative pieces where you can't easily check weight alone.
Check the Back of the Frame
The unfinished back of the frame is the most honest place to look, real wood grain should be visible and natural, not a flat, uniform surface that suggests moulded plastic underneath a wood-look paint finish.
The Honest Verdict
Check the curved detail areas, tap-test the frame, and look at the unfinished back, these three checks reveal whether a decorative mirror's frame is genuinely solid wood or a convincing plastic imitation.
