ROMAN BRONZE MIRROR
Ca. 100-300 AD. A bronze circular mirror featuring the obverse polished to function as a mirror and a slightly concave reverse side. Mirrors in the Graeco-Roman world were made of various materials - mostly copper alloy, but silver and iron examples have also been found. Mirrors were personal items, often owned by women. The earliest surviving pieces date to the Mycenaean period ca. 1200-1100 BC, with bone and ivory, handles carved with animal motifs. Greek hand mirrors were made in one piece from the 7th cent. BC and became more elaborate with time. Roman mirrors from the Augustan period onwards have been found in most provinces of the empire and they displayed applied engravings, decorative plaques on the reverse, or figurative ornaments. For a comprehensive study of Roman mirrors, see Zahlhaas, G. (1975). Römische Relief Spiegel. Lassleben. Size: L:252mm / W:195mm ; 550g Provenance: Property of a West London gentleman; previously in a collection formed on the UK/International art market in the 1980s.

Estimate: GBP 150 - 300