388 (18)

361

Cased Mirrors

1712 BWB83 130 (257) 11 fig 240 Case complete; slightly distorted, so that the two parts do not close together as originally intended; d of both parts 34.5mm; lead-tin (AML); the openwork decora-tion on the two discs differs slightly in detail, in part at least because the metal did not flow evenly in casting, leaving voids and thin areas at different points; a crudely executed crucifixion scene features Christ on the cross in the centre, flanked by the haloed figures of Mary and St John, with the sun and moon above to the sides, and the surrounding legend +I<3ooAoj (iesvs), which continues with a folia te scroll around; the disc which has the morę completely registered scene re-tains a thin tin-foil backing (AML) that is missing from the other (in which the figurę of Mary is disastrously disembodied by a bubble in the casting process). Even without the defect, the rendering of this conventional scene is not attractive. A cast rivet, apparently of the same alloy as the rest of the case, set through the lugs to act as the hinge, shows evidence of the non-alignment of the two parts of the mould at its head. Its other end is bent round to secure it in place. Traces of the cement, possibly calcium carbonate (AML), sur-vive inside both parts of the case; fragments of glass were present at the time of discovery.

Despite their different appearance, the two major elements could have been cast in the same mould. The tin-foil backing of the glass would presumably have provided a morę shiny background to the openwork design (which could perhaps have been painted). Pub-lished by Bayley et al. (1984, 401 & pl Lille).

1713 BWB83 346 (313) 12 fig 240 Incomplete and slightly corroded disc with single lug and pair all pierced; d c.40mm; lead-tin (AML), openwork scene similar to those on previous item, but somewhat morę accomplished (Christ’s ribs, St John’s bibie, and the drapery are morę realistically depicted); the surrounding band is apparently plain; no tracę of cement etc survives.

A case with a crucifixion scene similar to the two last examples, but from a different mould, was excavated in Bergen in Norway (Herteig 1969, fig 67 lower right -described as a pilgrim souvenir; these mirrors may well have been sold alongside other trinkets at shrines -Brian Spencer, pers. comm.).

Robust copper-alloy cases

These consist of two similar, slightly convex cast discs of c.30mm diameter, each with a single lug on one side and a pair on the other. One disc of each mirror has the single lug and the other has the pair drilled through (a separate, secondary process after casting) for a copper-alloy rivet which acted as the hinge of the case. The reces-sed inside surfaces of the discs in some instances retain a cement (calcium carbonate according to analyses - Bayley et al. 1984, 399) to hołd the glass in place. 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 convexity gave a slightly magnified image, enhancing the smali 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 (or perhaps to secure it to the person if it was carried around - cf the chains on seal matrices discussed in the section on Chains - there is, however, no surviving evid-ence that the lugs were used in this way). Decoration seems invariably to consist of the outline of a crude, rounded, open cross in double lines of punched, opposed triangles, often with a pair of similar, straight, lines running diametric-ally between the lugs from side to side. Further details of manufacture are given by Bayley et al. In addition to the cases mentioned there, another possible damaged example has recently been excavated at Bristol (City Museum, acc. no. 21/1982 AHR 7E - Mikę Ponsford pers. comm.).

1714    BIG82 acc. no. 2188 (context 2570) ceramic phase 9 fig 241

Gunmetal (AML); case complete; slightly corroded; discs d 29.5 and 30mm; tracę of decoration of double lines of opposed, punched triangles; this case has been opened and examined intemally sińce recovery, but is no w sealed in the closed position; no visible tracę of glass or cement (AML); hinge rivet present.

1715    BWB83 121 (263) 9 figs 15C & 241 Disc originally with a pair of pierced lugs (only one of which survives); d 31mm; double lines of opposed, punched triangles in form of cross, and similar double lines diametrically.

1716    BWB83 4104 (269) 9 fig 241

Disc with single lug pierced; d 30mm; double lines of punched, opposed triangles in form of cross, and similar double lines diametrically; a tracę of reddish