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Valve of a Mirror Case

1180–1200
Not on view
The only known surviving element from a Romanesque mirror case, this valve was originally slotted and joined by a clasp to a matching one. Mirrors of polished silver were fitted into the inner facings. The surface of the cast and chased case has been extensively worked to resemble champlevé enameling. The dragon motifs can be compared to those on the bowl of a drinking cup (acc. no. 47.101.31) and the knop of the Bertinus chalice ( acc. no. 47.101.30), both of which are also listed in this database. The foliate lugs and attached rings are modern additions.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Valve of a Mirror Case
  • Date: 1180–1200
  • Culture: British
  • Medium: Copper alloy and gilding
  • Dimensions: 4 3/8 × 3/8 in. (11.1 × 0.9 cm)
  • Classification: Metalwork-Copper alloy
  • Credit Line: The Cloisters Collection, 1947
  • Object Number: 47.101.47
  • Curatorial Department: Medieval Art and The Cloisters

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Movement attributed to Master CR
Stem and foot probably cast from designs by Matthias Zündt
Band of case from design by Cornelis Bos
ca. 1565–70
Center table, Imperial Armory, Tula (south of Moscow), Russia, Steel, silver, gilt copper, gilt brass, basswood; replaced mirror glass, Russian, Tula
Center table
Manufacturer Imperial Armory, Tula (south of Moscow), Russia
ca. 1780–85
Morse Fragment with the Virgin, Gilded copper, French
Morse Fragment with the Virgin
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ca. 1250
Mirror case, Donatello Italian, Bronze, inlaid with gold and silver, British, after Italian original
Mirror case
After an original by Donatello
19th century, after ca. 1450 original

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