MIRROR

Fragment of cast copper-alloy mirror handle, now very corroded, with many tiny holes in the metal. In the centre of the fragment is a transverse oval disc measuring 17 x 18 mm, which is decorated with a groove around its circumference. From the bottom of this disc the handle tapers to a waist and then flares out again into a bifurcation. Each half is circular in section and ends in a fresh break which shows many small holes. From the top of the central disc the handle again tapers to a waist, and then flares again; there is a V-shaped groove here giving the effect of another bifurcation, and the two halves curve out and downwards to breaks. In the fork sits a central roundel, which is sliced into two discs by a vertical slot which originally held the thin metal mirror. Both discs are now incomplete, but on one face the disc retains some blue enamel. Both the enamel and the metal are in a bubbly condition which may imply burning. The alternative is poor casting, but it seems unlikely that a poor casting was accepted for this very nice piece; it should have been rejected before enamelling. The nearest parallel that a quick search through the literature has produced is one from Great Chesterford in Essex, which has a similar roundel sitting in a bifurcation and holding the mirror.