Ancient Roman Bronze Votive or Miniature Hand Mirror
16
days
20
hours
31
minutes
08
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 € 250 - € 330
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Ancient Roman bronze votive or miniature hand mirror with a long tapering handle, a circular mirror disc set in a square openwork frame, and a reddish‑purple inset in a circular terminal, dating to the 1st–3rd century AD and in good, solid condition with a dark patina and minor losses.
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 Roman bronze votive or miniature hand mirror frame with a long, tapering handle. The upper section supports a circular mirror disc set within a square frame decorated with openwork vegetal scrolls or vine tendrils. A central perforation in the disc probably relates to the original attachment method of the mirror plate.
The leaf-shaped handle narrows towards a circular terminal setting. This setting retains a reddish-purple glass or stone inset and terminates in a small bud-shaped finial. The reverse preserves the structural elements by which the mirror disc and handle were joined.
Length: 135,2 mm
Condition: Good and solid condition. The bronze displays a dark brown and olive-green patina with areas of corrosion, mineral deposits and surface wear. Minor losses and signs of wear are visible around the delicate openwork frame.
Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) is available upon request for all lots with a hammer price of €100 or higher.
-> Small decorated mirrors are particularly well documented in the Roman provinces of the Danube and Black Sea regions. Their precise function remains debated: some may have been personal cosmetic objects, while others were deposited in sanctuaries or graves as votive, funerary or protective offerings. Vine-like ornament was widely used in Roman art and could evoke abundance, fertility and the world of Bacchus.
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 Roman bronze votive or miniature hand mirror frame with a long, tapering handle. The upper section supports a circular mirror disc set within a square frame decorated with openwork vegetal scrolls or vine tendrils. A central perforation in the disc probably relates to the original attachment method of the mirror plate.
The leaf-shaped handle narrows towards a circular terminal setting. This setting retains a reddish-purple glass or stone inset and terminates in a small bud-shaped finial. The reverse preserves the structural elements by which the mirror disc and handle were joined.
Length: 135,2 mm
Condition: Good and solid condition. The bronze displays a dark brown and olive-green patina with areas of corrosion, mineral deposits and surface wear. Minor losses and signs of wear are visible around the delicate openwork frame.
Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) is available upon request for all lots with a hammer price of €100 or higher.
-> Small decorated mirrors are particularly well documented in the Roman provinces of the Danube and Black Sea regions. Their precise function remains debated: some may have been personal cosmetic objects, while others were deposited in sanctuaries or graves as votive, funerary or protective offerings. Vine-like ornament was widely used in Roman art and could evoke abundance, fertility and the world of Bacchus.
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
Ancient Roman
Century/timeframe
1st-3rd century AD
Name of object
Votive or Miniature Hand Mirror
Acquired from
Dealer at a fair
Year acquired
2026
Material
Bronze
Country acquired from
Netherlands
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Dealer at a fair
Previous owner - year acquired
2026
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.
