Antimony mirror

Kerala, India, probably 19th century

antimony_mirrorThis is an Aranmula kannadi, a special type of mirror traditionally made in the village of Aranmula in Kerala, southern India since the 16th century.

The exact metals used in the alloy of the reflective surface are a secret, and may include antimony. They are mixed with copper and tin and the mirror is polished for several days to achieve a highly reflective surface that eliminates the secondary reflections of conventional backed-glass mirrors. The frame is made of brass and is decorated with typical zoomorphic designs.

Donated by T. E. Love in 1958; 1958.6.15