Folding mirror

In ancient Greece, three types of mirrors were used: (a) with plain handle, (b) with a stand or foot, usually in the shape of a female figure, and (c) a folding type with two bronze discs, one for the mirror the other for the lid. Major production centers included Argos, Corinth, Chalkis, Attica and various cities in Magna Graecia.

The illustrated mirror is of the folding type. It consists of two cast discs connected with a hinge. The lower part is flat and was used as the reflector. The lid had incised decoration both in the interior (concentric circles) and on the exterior (guilloche). It is possible that there was additional decoration on the exterior with a central bronze sheet which was engraved and joined by means of poured lead. Τhe technical details of the mirror suggest that it was the product of a Corinthian workshop.

In Hellenistic times, mirrors were often deposited as funerary gifts in the graves of women. Also, several figurines of the same period (the so-called ‘Tanagra’ figurines) show women holding mirrors. This seems to reflect a significant departure from Classical ideals of beauty and an increasing emphasis on female beautification.

PUBLICATION
Andreiomenou Α. 2006. Cat. no. 136, in Choremi-Spetsieri Α. – Zarkadas Α. (eds), The Paul and Alexandra Canellopoulos Museum. Ancient Art, Athens, 218-219.