Mirror with Fish

Unknown

ca. 13th century · Leaded bronze alloy · Islamic Art

The back of this mirror shows fish against a background suggestive of a stream of water, and a medallion with a six-petal rosette surrounding the central knob. The mirror’s undecorated side would have been polished into a highly reflective surface. Metal cast mirrors were common in the medieval Islamic period, when they might have also been used as talismans and for magical practices.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 13th century

Medium

Leaded bronze alloy

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Bequest of Carolyn Kane, 2015