Obsidian Mirror
Unknown Artist
before 15th century
Medium
Obsidian
Dimensions
Diam. 3 in. (7.6 cm)
Classification
Stone-Implements
Culture
Ecuador
Department
Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Margaret B. Zorach, 1980
Accession Number
1980.34.43
Tags
Art Historical Context
Behold the **Obsidian Mirror**, captivating artifact from ancient Ecuador, crafted by an unknown artist before the th century. This small handheld disc, measuring just 3 inches (7.6 cm) in diameter exemplifies the ingenuity of pre-Columbian in the Americas. Polished from obsidian—a naturally occurring volcanic glass—the mirror's glossy black surface creates a reflective sheen, transforming raw stone into a tool of vision and wonder. In Ecuadorian cultures of the pre-Hispanic era, mirrors held profound cultural significance, often linked to rituals, divination, or personal adornment. Classifie...