Published Etruscan mirror with Dionysian scene
Price: on request
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Object number
AR3013
| Object: |
Lid of a mirror
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| Material: |
Embossed bronze sheet with lead reinforcement
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| Date: |
3rd century B.C. Etruscan |
| Size: |
Diameter 108 mm
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| Description: |
The scene shows Dionysos walking tall, high right arm placed over the shoulder of Eros, to his left a a muse or maenad playing a musical instrument. Dionysos raises his left arm above the head, holding a Thyrsos with a ribbon attached to the end. His head is slightly inclined towards his companion, the hair finely curled. A coat is draped over the left arm, covering the left leg which is put back. Eros is leaning towards Dionysos, only one wing visible, and holds Dionysos' wrist with the right hand. His hair is bound into a knot. The muse or maenad is wearing a chiton. She is walking to the right, but turns back and looks over her shoulder. One end of her cloak hangs below the large Kithara she is playing, the other end is draped over her right arm. Twirled band around the discus. |
| Historical note: |
The mirror is part of a series with only 34 specimen known to science up to now. All mirrors of the series share the same subject, but differ in small details and especially in workmanship quality. In 1983, Prof. Willers has written to the collector E. Bollmann about the mirror offered here (even before holding it in hand): "Das Spiegel-Photo, das Sie schicken, begeistert mich ganz und gar" ( "the photograph of the mirror which you sent me is really exciting". After having received the mirror for a scientific examination, Prof. Jucker continues: "Endlich ist ihr schönes Spiegelrelief photographiert, gezeichnet und beschrieben, wie es das verdient. Ich hatte große Freude, das kleine Kunstwerk auf meinem Schreibtisch studieren zu können. Solch gute Stücke müssen mich über viele mittelmäßige bis schlechte und teilweise oder gar falsche hinwegtrösten." ("finally, your beautiful mirror relief has been photographed, a drawing has been made, and it was described in the manner it truly deserves. It was a great pleasure to me studying the small piece of art on my desk. Such good pieces comfort me over many mediocre to bad [pieces], or even fake ones"). |
| Condition: |
Some cracks and chips, mainly around the rim but also small ones throughout the discus. At the top, the patina is removed in a small area. Fixed on a plexiglass mount with two nails. Overall in exceptional condition with thoroughly worked details.
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| Published in: |
D. Willers, The J. Paul Getty Museum Journal, Volume 14 (1986) p. 21ff, Nr. 23 Abb. 6. Personally examined by Prof. Ines Jucker and Prof. Dietrich Willers, Bern University. The letter exchange from the years 1983 and 1984 documenting this examination is preserved. |
| Literature: |
For an extended discussion of Etruscan mirrors in Switzerland, in which another mirror of the same series is published as Nr. 26, see: Ines Jucker, Corspus Speculorum Etruscorum, Schweiz 1 (Bern 2001) |
| Provenance: |
Acquired 2020 from a Swiss auction house. From the Swiss private collection of Mr. E. Bollmann. Acquired September 30, 1967, at Münzen und Medaillen AG Basel.
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| Authenticity: |
We unconditionally guarantee the authenticity of every artefact, all items are subject to our lifetime return policy on authenticity.
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