Ancient Roman Lead 奉納の鏡 (No reserve price)
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Ancient Roman lead votive mirror dating to the 2nd–3rd century AD, with a decorated border and handle, but the central reflective glass is missing; diameter 33.4 mm, length 67.7 mm; condition good.
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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 lead flat mirror, used for votive or ritual purposes. The reflective glass with lead foil surface was mounted centrally on a disc but is (as usual) no longer present. A border around the central disc is richly decorated with concentric borders, scrolling floral motifs and raised pellets. Complete with decorated handle, plain reverse side.
-> The miniature size and softness of the lead material indicates this object was deliberately dysfunctional and had ritual or magical purposes. The colour and weight of lead is traditionally associated with the underworld and magic.
A similar association can be found in lead curse tablets which were often folded, rolled or pierced.
Diameter: ± 33,4 mm
Length: ± 67,7 mm
Condition: good condition, the glass insert is no longer present. The lead has developed a brown-grey patina with earthen deposits and areas with signs of wear, consistent with age and use.
Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) is available upon request for all lots with a hammer price of €100 or higher.
-> Miniature lead mirrors are particularly associated with the Roman provinces of Pannonia, Moesia and Dacia. Although their shape resembles a cosmetic hand mirror, their very small reflective surfaces and soft lead frames made them unsuitable for ordinary daily use. Examples have been discovered in sanctuaries and graves, especially those of women, suggesting that they served as votive offerings, funerary objects or protective amulets. Their decoration often included geometric, floral and solar motifs, while the reflective surface may have symbolised protection, divine revelation or a connection between the living world and the afterlife.
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 lead flat mirror, used for votive or ritual purposes. The reflective glass with lead foil surface was mounted centrally on a disc but is (as usual) no longer present. A border around the central disc is richly decorated with concentric borders, scrolling floral motifs and raised pellets. Complete with decorated handle, plain reverse side.
-> The miniature size and softness of the lead material indicates this object was deliberately dysfunctional and had ritual or magical purposes. The colour and weight of lead is traditionally associated with the underworld and magic.
A similar association can be found in lead curse tablets which were often folded, rolled or pierced.
Diameter: ± 33,4 mm
Length: ± 67,7 mm
Condition: good condition, the glass insert is no longer present. The lead has developed a brown-grey patina with earthen deposits and areas with signs of wear, consistent with age and use.
Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) is available upon request for all lots with a hammer price of €100 or higher.
-> Miniature lead mirrors are particularly associated with the Roman provinces of Pannonia, Moesia and Dacia. Although their shape resembles a cosmetic hand mirror, their very small reflective surfaces and soft lead frames made them unsuitable for ordinary daily use. Examples have been discovered in sanctuaries and graves, especially those of women, suggesting that they served as votive offerings, funerary objects or protective amulets. Their decoration often included geometric, floral and solar motifs, while the reflective surface may have symbolised protection, divine revelation or a connection between the living world and the afterlife.
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
文化
Ancient Roman
世紀/年代
2nd-3rd century AD
商品名
votive Mirror
取得先
Antique market
取得年
2025
素材
Lead
取得国
Netherlands
コンディション
Good
前所有者の取得先
Antique market
前所有者 - 取得年
2025
前所有者 - 取得国
Netherlands
この商品を合法的に取得し、販売する権利があることを保証します
はい'
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.
