1st-2nd century AD. A bronze mirror with balustered handle and knop finial, wide flat rim with rolled edge, one face with reflective inlaid disc and polished tinned surface, the other side slightly domed. 50 grams, 95mm (3 3/4"). From the collection of a Surrey gentleman; acquired 1970-1980. In the Roman world mirrors would have been made from bronze, tin or silver, highly polished to reflect light. Mirrors were usually associated with women, and specifically with women's religion, but not all of them were highly decorated and often small simple mirrors were deposed in the grave of female children, a gift from sorrowful parents to accompany them in the Elysian Fields.