Etruscan Hand Mirror with Sphinx, large size
11
days
18
hours
45
minutes
07
seconds
Starting bid
€ 1
Reserve price not met
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Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 3,200 - € 3,900
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Ancient Etruscan large solid bronze hand mirror with a central winged Sphinx, dating to the late 4th century BCE, in good solid condition with its original tang and supplied with a custom marble display base.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Attention: due to customs regulations we can only ship inside the European Union. Please ensure you have a valid EU shipping address before placing a bid.
Ancient Etruscan large solid bronze mirror, engraved with a central winged Sphinx shown in profile, combining a human head with the body of a lion and elegantly curved wings. The creature is rendered in a restrained linear style, with carefully incised details to the hair, feathers, and limbs. Surrounding the central motif is a delicately engraved ornamental border composed of scrolling elements and rosettes.
The mirror is complete with its original tang and will be delivered with a custom made marble stand (included in the sale).
-> This type of mirror was designed to be held in the hand using a single handle.
-> In Etruscan art, the Sphinx is a significant and intriguing motif that reflects the cultural exchanges between the Etruscans and other ancient civilizations, particularly the Greeks and Egyptians. The Sphinx, typically depicted as a creature with the body of a lion and the head of a human, symbolises mystery, protection, and wisdom. The sphinx motif was associated with protective and apotropaic symbolism across the Mediterranean world.
Total height: ± 22 cm
Mirror height: ± 18,5 cm (including tang)
Mirror diameter: ± 14 cm
Marble display base: ± 105 x 96 x 40,5 mm
Good and solid condition, complete with original tang. The mirror has quality engravings and attractive smooth olive-green patina with areas of cuprite. Signs of wear consistent with an ancient artefact.
Certificate of Authenticity: available upon request (pdf-format).
Seller's Story
Please read our information carefully.
*SHIPPING INFO Due to insurance procedures, combined shipping is only possible with a single payment. (1 payment reference = 1 insured parcel.) If you accept an offer after the auction and pay separately, shipments cannot be manually combined afterward. Please ensure your shipping address is complete and correct before paying. Changes made after payment are not automatically forwarded to us.
* CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY (COA) For insurance purposes we can provide a digital Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) for every item with a hammer price of Euro 100 or more. The COA is available upon request within 20 days of the auction date. Instructions will be provided when your order is shipped. Certificates are not included in the package.
* INSURANCE & CLAIMS All our parcels are shipped with external insurance. This insurance requires the following:
-> Monitor the online tracking and notify delays to the seller within 14 days after the shipping date.
-> In case of damage: write a reservation on the delivery note and report the damage to the seller via the Catawiki online chat within 24 hours. Keep all packaging and send us photos of the damage.
* MARGIN SCHEME: All our sales are subject to the margin scheme; therefore, no VAT is charged or shown on our invoices.
* IMPORTANT BUYERS OUTSIDE THE EU: We cannot ship to countries outside the European Union. Please ensure you have an EU shipping address before bidding. No exceptions can be made. Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom are not part of the EU.
* DOCUMENTATION NOTICE: Previous invoices and import/export documents will not be shared with customers.
----------------------
Thank you for your interest, and best of luck with your bids!
Attention: due to customs regulations we can only ship inside the European Union. Please ensure you have a valid EU shipping address before placing a bid.
Ancient Etruscan large solid bronze mirror, engraved with a central winged Sphinx shown in profile, combining a human head with the body of a lion and elegantly curved wings. The creature is rendered in a restrained linear style, with carefully incised details to the hair, feathers, and limbs. Surrounding the central motif is a delicately engraved ornamental border composed of scrolling elements and rosettes.
The mirror is complete with its original tang and will be delivered with a custom made marble stand (included in the sale).
-> This type of mirror was designed to be held in the hand using a single handle.
-> In Etruscan art, the Sphinx is a significant and intriguing motif that reflects the cultural exchanges between the Etruscans and other ancient civilizations, particularly the Greeks and Egyptians. The Sphinx, typically depicted as a creature with the body of a lion and the head of a human, symbolises mystery, protection, and wisdom. The sphinx motif was associated with protective and apotropaic symbolism across the Mediterranean world.
Total height: ± 22 cm
Mirror height: ± 18,5 cm (including tang)
Mirror diameter: ± 14 cm
Marble display base: ± 105 x 96 x 40,5 mm
Good and solid condition, complete with original tang. The mirror has quality engravings and attractive smooth olive-green patina with areas of cuprite. Signs of wear consistent with an ancient artefact.
Certificate of Authenticity: available upon request (pdf-format).
Seller's Story
Please read our information carefully.
*SHIPPING INFO Due to insurance procedures, combined shipping is only possible with a single payment. (1 payment reference = 1 insured parcel.) If you accept an offer after the auction and pay separately, shipments cannot be manually combined afterward. Please ensure your shipping address is complete and correct before paying. Changes made after payment are not automatically forwarded to us.
* CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY (COA) For insurance purposes we can provide a digital Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) for every item with a hammer price of Euro 100 or more. The COA is available upon request within 20 days of the auction date. Instructions will be provided when your order is shipped. Certificates are not included in the package.
* INSURANCE & CLAIMS All our parcels are shipped with external insurance. This insurance requires the following:
-> Monitor the online tracking and notify delays to the seller within 14 days after the shipping date.
-> In case of damage: write a reservation on the delivery note and report the damage to the seller via the Catawiki online chat within 24 hours. Keep all packaging and send us photos of the damage.
* MARGIN SCHEME: All our sales are subject to the margin scheme; therefore, no VAT is charged or shown on our invoices.
* IMPORTANT BUYERS OUTSIDE THE EU: We cannot ship to countries outside the European Union. Please ensure you have an EU shipping address before bidding. No exceptions can be made. Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom are not part of the EU.
* DOCUMENTATION NOTICE: Previous invoices and import/export documents will not be shared with customers.
----------------------
Thank you for your interest, and best of luck with your bids!
Details
Culture
Etruscan
Century/timeframe
late 4th century
Name of object
Hand Mirror with Sphinx, large size
Acquired from
Dealer at a fair
Year acquired
2025
Country acquired from
Netherlands
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Dealer at a fair
Previous owner - year acquired
2025
Previous owner - country acquired from
Netherlands
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
Disclaimer
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
