Roman Metalwork: Bronze mirror

Inv. No.: 83.037
Provenance: Roman
Date: c. 1st century AD
Diameter: 116mm
Length: 25mm (tang)
 
A small bronze disc with a slightly convex, undecorated obverse surface and a reverse decorated with incised concentric circles, an undulating border and a central boss or umbo. A short, tapering tang with a broken, oblique and irregular end projects directly from the edge of the disc. Two rivets used to attach the tang to a handle of bone, ivory or wood survive although the handle itself is missing. The rivets are roughly cylindrical in shape, 12-13 mm in length and c. 3 mm in diameter. The mirror is in good condition although there is a small hole that has formed where the bronze is thin, between the pair of concentric incised circles that form the inner edge of the border of the reverse, to the left of the tang insertion. There is a fine green patina on the reverse while the surface of the obverse has a rough incrustation. Some areas of bright metal are visible. Letters (including two) have been written on this side of the mirror, apparently using a biro.

Function:
The obverse side of the disc was polished or tinned or silvered producing a reflecting surface used for toiletry purposes.

Manufacture:
Cast in a mould with finishing and incised decoration done using a lathe.

Decoration:

1. The border of the obverse is raised and decorated with a series of regular depressions producing an undulating, scalloped edge. It varies between 11 and 12 mm in width.
2. A pair of incised concentric circles decorates the inner edge of the border. Closer to the centre is a slightly convex ring, framed by fine ridges, enclosing a central boss or umbo.

Bibliography:
Fine Antiquities, Christie catalogue, Thursday 16 December 1982, No. 227.

Lloyd-Morgan, G., "The Antecedents and Development of the Roman Hand Mirror", Papers in Italian Archaeology I: the Lancaster Seminar. Recent research in prehistoric, classical and medieval archaeology: Part I, eds. H. McK. Blake, T. W. Potter and D. B. Whitehouse, BAR Supplementary Series 41(i), 1978, 227-235.

Lloyd-Morgan, G., "The Roman Mirror and its Origins", A Guide to Etruscan Mirrors, ed. N. T. de Grummond, Tallahassee, Florida, Archaeological News, 1982, 39-48.

Comparanda:
Comstock, M. and C. Vermeule, Greek, Etruscan & Roman Bronzes in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Greenwich, Connecticut, New York Graphic Society, 1971, No. 400 (Roman bronze disc mirror with concentric circles).

Lloyd-Morgan, G., "Four Mirrors in the City Museum and Art Gallery, Birmingham", Papers of the British School at Rome, XLIII (1975), Pl. III a and b (plain discs).

Lloyd-Morgan, G., "The Antecedents and Development of the Roman Hand Mirror", Papers in Italian Archaeology I: the Lancaster Seminar. Recent research in prehistoric, classical and medieval archaeology: Part I, eds. H. McK. Blake, T. W. Potter and D. B. Whitehouse, BAR Supplementary Series 41(i), 1978, Pl. 17.I (more ornate example with metal handle).

Ward-Perkins, J. and A. Claridge, Pompeii A D 79, New York, Alfred A. Knopf (in association with the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston), 1978, No. 57 (more ornate, silver example with metal baluster handle).