Advanced Search
Advanced Search

Mirror with Aphrodite hiding Adonis (Turan and Atunis)

Italic, Etruscan
Classical Period
400–350 B.C.

Medium/Technique Bronze
Dimensions Overall: 21.6 x 18.4 x 0.8 cm (8 1/2 x 7 1/4 x 5/16 in.)
Credit Line Gift of Horace L. Mayer
Accession Number61.1258

Catalogue Raisonné Greek, Etruscan, & Roman Bronzes (MFA), no. 389; Sculpture in Stone and Bronze (MFA), p. 123 (additional published references).
DescriptionOn the obverse, two pairs of engraved lines near the edge.
On the reverse, at right, a young woman, wearing a diadem and chiton, sits on a rock. She extends her right arm to adjust the veil of a youth, wearing only shoes, bracelet and diadem, while her left hand gently holds his left forearm. The young man lifts the veil with his right arm, while he sits on a bed of large leaves.
Missing tang or handle. Cracks and restorations along the edge. Dark green and blue patina with thick incrustations on the obverse. Smooth dark brown inside (cleaned) and dark green and blue around perimeter.
ProvenanceBy 1960, N. Koutoulakis, 4 rue de L'Echelle, Paris, France; March or April 1960, sold by N. Koutoulakis to Spink and Son, Ltd., 5-7 King Street, St. James's, London; by late May or early June 1960, sold by Spink and Son to Horace L. Mayer; June 8, 1960, lent by Horace L. Mayer to the MFA; December 1961, given by Horace L. Mayer to the MFA. (Accession date: January 10, 1962)

Note: as 57.60.