In the Middle Kingdom the typical hand mirror consisted of two pieces: a metal disc and a wooden or ivory handle. The handle was traditionally shaped as a papyrus column with a spreading umbel. The mirror disc itself, made of copper alloy is attached to the handle with a rivet. Used in Egypt since the Old Kingdom, the mirror had a funerial and religious purpose as well as a practical function. Mirrors were believed to be endowed with magical properties because they had the power to hold ones image. This power is embodied in the Egyptian word for mirror, ‘ankh’, which is also the ancient Egyptian word for life.
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