Greek Mirror in the Walters Art Museum, September 2009

Mirror with a Bathing Maiden

Creator: Greek (Artist)

Period: 3rd century BC (Hellenistic)

Medium: engraved bronze, repoussé silver backed with paste (Metal)

Accession Number: 54.1169

Measurements: top: 15/16 x 5 in. (2.5 x 12.7 cm) (d. x diam.) bottom: 1/2 x 4 13/16 in. (1.2 x 12.3 cm) (d. x diam.)

Geographies: Greece (Place of Origin)

The most popular type of mirror in the Hellenistic period was of "clamshell" form, much like the modern compact. The polished mirror disk was protected by a hinged lid, decorated with figures in relief on the exterior and, not uncommonly, with a scene engraved on its underside. Appearing on the inside lid of this mirror is a tranquil scene with a nude maiden, perhaps Aphrodite or a nymph, bathing in a rocky grotto.

Text from: art.thewalters.org/detail/15488/mirror-with-a-bathing-mai...