The more usual metal mirrors have two principal forms: a circular reflector, mounted on a handle like the modern hand-glass, which is represented by a specimen in silver from Naukratis (No. 416), and a similar disc enclosed in a folding box (No. 417). Both these varieties were often decorated with engraving. See No. 417, a mirror from Hermione, with an engraved design of Aphrodite and Eros. In the Bronze Room there are large collections of all types. A small pocket-mirror in this Case has on one side of the bronze box a head of Nero, and on the other the god Dionysos standing by a vine (No. 418). The disc is silver-plated, like most of these examples. Two similar boxes have been turned out of large brass coins of Nero (No. 419). A fragment of a silvered mirror from Amathus in Cyprus has a palm-tree engraved on its face (No. 420). Though the design indicates that this side is the front, yet the reflector was the convex back, and thus, in a spirit quite foreign to Greek art, the purpose of the thing was subordinated to its decoration.
Razors.—The razor is another toilet instrument which existed in the earliest times. No prehistoric specimens are in this collection, but a primitive shape is represented by two circular blades with stirrup-like handles (No. 421, fig. 166). Others are of square spade shape, with a twisted loop handle and a hole in the blade. One of these is from Athens (No. 422; fig. 167). A third type is shown in three razors of Phoenician origin (from Sardinia and Carthage), with long hatchet blades (No. 423; fig. 168). These are ornamented with engraving and have handles in the shape of swan's heads. All are made of bronze, and were no doubt capable of taking an edge so keen as to render them far more efficacious than their present appearance would suggest.
Fig. 167.—Bronze Razor from Athens (No. 422). 1:2.
Fig. 168.—Bronze Razor from Sardinia (No. 423). 3:5.
Miscellaneous Toilet Implements.—Next to the razors are placed various tools of which the functions are easily understood. There are several nail-files with a roughened surface, and a smooth notch for polishing (No. 424; fig. 169). Two of these are combined with ear-picks, which were in general use at Rome. They have a minute bowl at the end of a slender arm. A very elegant ear-pick, which has a leaf-shaped scraper at the other end, is made of silver (No. 425; fig. 170). Others end in a sharp point, which may have been used either for a tooth-pick or in emergency for a stilus pen (cf. p. 199). Another ear-pick is combined with a pair of tweezers and some other tools now lost (No. 426). The tweezers were used for plucking out such hairs as Roman fashion deemed unsightly.
Fig. 169.—Bronze Nail-File (No. 424). 1:2.
