cma-greek-roman-art: Mirror Support: Siren, c. 475 BC, Cleveland Museum of Art: Greek and Roman ArtT
cma-greek-roman-art: Mirror Support: Siren, c. 475 BC, Cleveland Museum of Art: Greek and Roman ArtThis is a bronze of exceptional quality. When complete, it had a cylindrical handle, probably of painted ivory. The reflecting disk was probably of silver, as are the inlays. The intact mirror was obviously an object of great luxury. Sirens (part bird and part woman) were sea-songstresses whose captivating voices drew sailors off course to their deaths. Sirens also accompanied the dead on their voyage to the underworld. The idea was probably imported from Egypt where human-headed ba birds embodied a deceased person’s spirit.Size: Overall: 11.5 x 9 cm (4 ½ x 3 9/16 in.)Medium: bronze with silver inlayshttps://clevelandart.org/art/1967.204 -- source link
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