Etruscan / c. 470–460 BCE
Mirror with Engraved Scene: Thesan and Memnun (Eos and Memnon)
The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Mirror with Engraved Scene: Thesan and Memnun (Eos and Memnon) as metalwork (Etruscan · c. 470–460 BCE).
The short tang below the disc of this mirror fit into a larger handle, likely of bone or ivory.
A CLOSER LOOK
The museum identifies this metalwork as bronze.
The museum's collection notes: Two figures occupy the reverse side of this nearly circular bronze mirror, neatly enclosed by a continuous ivy-leaf border. Equipped with wings and winged shoes, the dawn goddess Thesan (Eos) carries the body of her son Memnun (Memnon). Slain by Achilles on the battlefield at Troy, he still wears armor and greaves, though his crested helmet has fallen below. The subject occurs on several other Etruscan mirrors and Greek vases of the same time period, though not nearly as frequently as scenes of Eos in pursuit of lovers (including Tithonos, father of Memnon).
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
The Cleveland Museum of ArtMirror with Engraved Scene: Thesan and Memnun (Eos and Memnon)Original explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.