Rome, Early Imperial Period, ca. 1st century CE. A bronze hand mirror of a circular form decorated with an openwork border comprised of circular perforations and incised concentric orbs adorning the faces of both sides. The mirror would have been meticulously polished to provide a strong reflection and would have served as a status symbol for a Roman woman, who likely enjoyed it for her daily toilette. The mirror is fitted to a bronze handle of an attractive columnar form that is decorated with protruding bands that are further adorned by an attractive, cross-hatched pattern. Size: 5.75" H (14.6 cm); 6" H (15.2 cm) on included custom stand. Mirrors frequently appear in Classical art - usually depicted 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. Roman mirrors may be found in esteemed museum collections such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art (accession number 07.286.127). Provenance: private Davis collection, Houston, Texas, USA All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids. We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience. #137604