Roman Silver Disc Mirror

Roman Empire, c. 100–200 AD

An exceptional Roman cast silver disc mirror of circular form, dating to the height of the Imperial period. The reflective face is gently convex and framed by a subtly raised border defined by a single concentric ring. The reverse is plain and smooth, now softly worn through age and prolonged use, yet the surface remarkably retains a pleasing degree of reflectivity. The mirror would originally have been fitted with a separately cast handle or protective case, now lost.

Silver and bronze mirrors were highly valued personal possessions in the Roman world, underscoring the importance placed on grooming, refinement, and public presentation. Such objects were staples of affluent households and frequently accompanied the deceased as grave goods, emphasizing both their practical utility and intimate significance. Achieving a reflective surface required repeated and careful burnishing, a labor-intensive process that enhanced the prestige of the piece.

Beyond their utilitarian role, mirrors carried symbolic meaning. Reflective surfaces were sometimes thought to reveal more than mere outward appearance—allowing, in popular belief, divine forces to glimpse the soul itself. Consequently, damaging or breaking a mirror was regarded as deeply inauspicious.

Elegant in form and evocative in presence, this silver mirror provides a direct and intimate connection to the personal rituals and cultural values of the Roman Empire.

Excellent condition. Surface wear and abrasions commensurate with age and use. Light corrosion and some minor encrustations. Size approx. 10,8cm x 10,8cm x 0,1cm. 

Provenance: Swedish private collection.

For a similar examples see:

Mirror-case, The British Museum, Accession Number: 1851,0813.146 (https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/G_1851-0813-146)

Mirror, The British Museum, Accession Number: 1856,1226.808 (https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/G_1856-1226-808_1?selectedImageId=1612986626)