Etruscan Metalwork:  Bronze palmette mirror handle

Inv. No.: 88.006
Provenance: Etruria
Date: 3rd-2nd century BC
Length: 104mm
Width: 42 mm (maximum)
 
A common type of bronze mirror handle from the Hellenistic period that originally would have been attached to a mirror disc using solder. A stylised palmette decorates the attachment plate, the shaft is hexagonal in cross section while the terminal is formed into the shape of an animal head, probably a hind. There is a groove on the back of the attachment plate into which the disc would have fitted. The piece is in very good condition with a blue-green patina. However, there is some corrosion between the nostrils of the hind plus some rust deposits on the under surface of the head and on the back of the attachment plate.

Function:
A handle, used for holding a mirror.

Manufacture:
Cast using a mould.

Decoration:

1. The stylised palmette that forms the attachment end of the handle consists of three leaves arranged symmetrically: the central one is an upright rounded triangular shape while the framing leaves curve outwards. A pattern of narrow grooves decorates the leaves suggesting midribs and side veins. The thick midrib of the central leaf is in relief.
2. Beneath the palmette is an element shaped like an ionic capital with volutes, outlined by relief beading. This is set on a shaft, hexagonal in cross section with wide, flattened top and bottom edges and angled sides.
3. Two thirds of the way down the shaft is a biconical element framed by narrow beaded bands. A similar but narrower motif is placed just above the animal head terminal.
4. The hind head has a flattened muzzle with grooves outlining nostrils and mouth, large almond-shaped eyes in relief outlined with grooves that extend in front of and behind the eyes, and relief ears that extend backwards, lying against the animal neck. Pupils are indicated by dots. The area between the ears on the upper surface is decorated with cross hatching while a deep groove runs along the upper surface of the muzzle on its right side. A band consisting of short oblique lines runs alongside this groove. The sides of the animal head are also decorated with short oblique lines behind and below the eyes. There are also chevrons running along the lower part of the right jaw. The underneath of the head is flat and unmarked.

Bibliography:
Antiquities, Charles Ede catalogue, 143 (1987), No. 60.

de Grummond, N. T. (ed.), A Guide to Etruscan Mirrors, Tallahassee, Florida, Archaeological News, 1982.

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.

Comparanda:
de Grummond, N. T. (ed.), A Guide to Etruscan Mirrors, Tallahassee, Florida, Archaeological News, 1982, Fig. 45.

Lambrechts, R., Corpus Speculorum Etruscorum, Belgique 1 (1987), Figs. 5 a-d and 7 a-d (similar handles, each attached to a mirror disc).

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, Fig. 17.1e.

Roberts, H. S., Corpus Speculorum Etruscorum, Denmark 1 (1981), Figs. 17 a-d and 18 a-d (similar handles).

Sassatelli, G., Corpus Speculorum Etruscorum, Italia 1, Bologna ?Museo Civico 1 (1981), Fig. 22 a-b (similar handle).