ART COLLECTIONS (Dec 5, 2018 - June 1, 2019) Mirrors from the Collection of the National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina

The earliest object that can be connected to a mirror was found at the Neolithic site Catalhoyuk in Turkey. It was a polished obsidian (volcanic glass) that dates ca. 6200 BC. The first glass mirrors were most likely made by the Romans and were used as everyday objects, a part of the woman's beauty accessory. In the later periods, large mirrors were imported into Bosnia through Dubrovnik merchants, mostly made in Venice, Italy; while small, hand-made mirrors were often imported from Constantinople. From the end of the nineteenth century, mirrors were imported, but the frames were made in Bosnian craft workshops.

Until the middle of the twentieth century, a mirror was a luxury object that was not accessible to everyone. The frames were made of precious materials, such as silver and mother-of-pearl, with craft techniques such as filigree, incrustation, gilding and wood carving.

The mirror from the 18th century, embroidered with golden thread / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

Hand mirror from the 19th century, ornated with silver filigree / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

The exhibition was opened by Mirsad Sijaric, Director of the National Museum of BiH, Aisa Softic, former Director of the National Museum of BiH, Lebiba Dzeko, Curator at the National Museum of BiH and Azra Becirevic-Sarenkapa, Conservator at the National Museum of BiH.

L-R. Lebiba Dzeko, Azra Becirevic-Sarenkapa, Aisa Softic and Mirsad Sijaric / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

Mirsad Sijaric / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

Aisa Softic / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

Lebiba Dzeko / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

The mirrors from the Department of Ethnology at the National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina are mostly from the nineteenth century, with several copies from the beginning of the twentieth century and a mirror from the end of the eighteenth century. They are divided into three groups: large wall mirrors, hand mirrors and small personal mirrors. In the past, mirrors were very desirable as decoration on various items for everyday use. Smaller mirrors were used to adorn garments such as leather vests, and fur coats, but also various types of women's hats, caps and belts.

Highlights from the opening of the exhibition

In the Mirror, installation view / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

In the Mirror, installation view / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

In the Mirror, installation view / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

In the Mirror, installation view / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

In the Mirror, from the opening of the exhibition / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

In the Mirror, from the opening of the exhibition / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

In the Mirror, from the opening of the exhibition / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

In the Mirror, from the opening of the exhibition / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

In the Mirror, from the opening of the exhibition / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

In the Mirror, from the opening of the exhibition / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

In the Mirror, from the opening of the exhibition / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

In the Mirror, from the opening of the exhibition / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

In the Mirror, from the opening of the exhibition / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

In the Mirror, from the opening of the exhibition / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

In the Mirror, from the opening of the exhibition / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

In the Mirror, from the opening of the exhibition / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

In the Mirror, from the opening of the exhibition / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

In the Mirror, from the opening of the exhibition / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

In the Mirror, from the opening of the exhibition / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

In the Mirror, from the opening of the exhibition / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

In the Mirror, from the opening of the exhibition / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

The exhibition is curated by Lebiba Džeko, Merdina Runner and Damir Lazzari are responsible for the conservation, preparation and documentation of the exhibited artefacts. The concept and the layout of the exhibition were created by Azra Becirevic-Sarenkapa and Lebiba Dzeko, while the graphic design visuals for the exhibition and promotional materials were created by Elvira Bojadzic. Rasema Calaka, Murat Rozajac, Safet Fetahovic and Suad Zorlak assisted with the technical issues.

The exhibition is on view until June 1, 2019, at the National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina.