Antiquities - ancient Greek rare bronze mirror with wedding scene

G46

Greek rare bronze mirror with wedding scene

£4000

A rare and fine bronze mirror with elaborate engraved and repousse applied decoration.

The ornamental upper side of the mirror depicts the figures of two dancing females being led by the god Eros.

The energetic poses of the women and their wild flowing drapery suggests a scene of exuberance which would normally be associated with Bacchanalian depictions but the fully draped state of the women and the lack of drinking implements or a thyrsus would imply that a different interpretation is required.

It seems more likely that the decoration shows a bride being led to her wedding by the god of love and a companion/bridesmaid/sister. This "reading" of the scene would also suggest that the mirror may have been a wedding gift or love token. A bronze mirror of this size and craftsmanship would only have been in the possession of a very wealthy household.

The underside (mirror) is undecorated but retains traces of polished silver which would have provided a reflective surface.

Greek, c. 375-325 BC

Size: 14.3 cms. diameter.

Area of loss at the top of the disc, general damages elsewhere as shown in the photographs. The metal is in a generally robust condition.

Greek bronzes of this size are extremely scarce on the market and this mirror presents an opportunity not only to own a rare object but also to acquire the sole vestige of a sentimental and emotionally charged moment frozen in time from Classical Greece.

Ex. private collection, Middlesex, UK. Probably acquired in the late 19th or early 20th Century.

www.heliosgallery.com

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