Rome, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 3rd century CE. A round bronze mirror with a narrow tang that was probably wrapped with wood or ivory to form a handle in antiquity. The mirror is large and unadorned, with rounded edges. It would have served as a status symbol for a Roman woman, who could have used it for her daily toilette; mirrors frequently appear in Classical art being held by women, especially brides, and we believe that they were gifts given to young women about to enter into marriage. They were also frequently buried with women, and the patina on this one suggests that it was covered with fabric at one time, perhaps where it lay in a grave. Comes with custom stand. Size: 4.75" W x 5.7" H (12.1 cm x 14.5 cm); height on stand: 6.9" (17.5 cm)

Provenance: private Schroeder collection, Boca Raton, Florida, USA, acquired before 1970

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#124019

Some of the patina has been cleaned from the surface, but much of it remains, as shown in the photograph. Form is excellent.