Innovation No. 48 of 77 in the book
The Hand Mirror
Polished bronze used as a personal mirror
- When
- c. 1800 BCE
- Dynasty
- 12th Dynasty
- Era
- Middle Kingdom
Before glass mirrors there was polished metal — and Egypt was casting fine bronze hand mirrors by around 1800 BCE, in the Middle Kingdom.
A disc of bronze, buffed to a bright shine, was set on a carved handle often shaped like a papyrus stalk or the goddess Hathor. The round face deliberately echoed the sun’s disc.
It was a genuine daily object — used for the makeup and grooming Egyptians took so seriously — and a thing of beauty in its own right.
The personal mirror you check each morning has an Egyptian ancestor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the earliest archaeological evidence for the hand mirror in ancient Egypt?
The earliest confirmed evidence dates to approximately 1800 BCE during Egypt's Middle Kingdom (12th Dynasty). Before glass mirrors there was polished metal — and Egypt was casting fine bronze hand mirrors by around 1800 BCE, in the Middle Kingdom.
How did ancient Egyptians develop the hand mirror, and what is its legacy?
A disc of bronze, buffed to a bright shine, was set on a carved handle often shaped like a papyrus stalk or the goddess Hathor. The round face deliberately echoed the sun’s disc. A disc of bronze, buffed to a bright shine, was set on a carved handle often shaped like a papyrus stalk or the goddess Hathor. The round face deliberately echoed the sun’s disc. The personal mirror you check each morning has an Egyptian ancestor.