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MIRROR CASE
Unique ID: HAMP-1F06B3
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
A damaged and incomplete cast copper-alloy medieval mirror case. It consists of of two joined slightly convex discs, held together by a rivet in a hinge. One disc has survived complete, but bent; only around half survives of the other. Each disc would have had a single lug on one side and a pair on the opposite side. No glass remains on the recessed inside surfaces of the discs, although the internal residual traces could be of calcium carbonate, a cement used to hold the glass in place. External decoration consists of the outline of a crude, rounded, open cross, in double lines of opposed triangles. A double line of opposed triangles runs diametrically between the lugs from side to side on each disc: such decoration was probably made using a roulette (Geake 2001, 72). An example of a mirror case decorated in such a way can be found illustrated in Egan and Pritchard (1991, 361-362; ref. 1715). This, and similar, date from the period c. 1270 - c. 1350; other publications (e.g. Mills 1999, 103) give a 14th-century date for mirror cases decorated in this way. That this was a standard method of decoration for contemporary mirror cases is noted in the literature and is also evidenced by parallels which can be found on the Portable Antiquities Scheme database.
Notes:
Regarding such medieval mirror cases Egan (1991, 361) notes: 'where it survives, the glass itself is convex, and coated on the back with a thin film of lead, which together provided the reflecting surface. The convexivity gave a slightly magnified image, enhancing the small diameter (c. 27-28mm) of the glasses. When the mirror was closed, the interconnection of the unpierced lugs provided an effective curb on lateral movement between the discs. These lugs could have had cord or wire bound around them to keep the case closed when not in use.' Mills (1999, 103) states that: 'The use of portable mirrors was popular amongst pilgrims who belived that catching the reflection of a saint onto a mirror would imbue the mirror with special virtues.'
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1300
Date to: Circa AD 1350
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 57.1 mm
Width: 32.55 mm
Thickness: 2.7 mm
Weight: 13.3 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Monday 1st May 2006
Personal details
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Other reference numbers
Other reference: E1500
Materials and construction
Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Incomplete
Spatial metadata
Region: South East (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Hampshire (County)
District: Winchester (District)
To be known as: Chilcomb CP
Spatial coordinates
Grid reference source: From a paper map
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
References cited
| Author | Publication Year | Title | Publication Place | Publisher | Pages | Reference | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geake, H. | 2001 | Finds Recording Guide Version 1.1 | 72 | ||||
| Mills, N. | 1999 | Medieval Artefacts | Greenlight Publishing | 103 |
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Timeline of associated dates
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