Bronze mirror with a support in the form of a draped woman

Unknown

mid-5th century BCE · Bronze · Greek and Roman Art

The ancient Greeks used mirrors that were held in the hand or stood independently. This free-standing example of a well established type consists of a base, a supporting figure, and the mirror disk embellished with additional figures around its periphery. The woman, who is probably mortal, wears a woolen garment, a peplos. Above her fly two personifications of love, erotes; originally hounds and hares would have coursed around the disk and a sphinx or siren would have perched on top. The variety of component parts are integrated into a whole that is both balanced and dynamic.

Artist

Unknown

Date

mid-5th century BCE

Medium

Bronze

Culture

Greek

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

Gift of the family of Thomas A. Spears, in his memory, 2011