Mirror

Art Historical Context

This exquisite 12th-century bronze, cast by an unknown artisan, offers a glimpse into the refined metalworking traditions of the Islamic world. just 2½ inches in diameter and weighing under 2 ounces, its compact size suggests it was a portable personal item, likely carried by travelers, merchants, or elites for grooming, divination, or as a symbol of vanity and introspection. Housed the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Islamic Department, it exemplifies the era's mastery of bronze casting—a technique involving intricate molds that allowed for smooth, reflective surfaces durable enough for daily us...