the Delphinus convex mirror

In All, Mirrors by Mark Evans

The Delphinus convex mirror is a classic shape that has been encrusted with teal/gray Venetian glass rods and hand-cast “jewels”.

The Delphinus convex mirror is about 10.5 inches in diameter. It resides in my studio pending being shipped to one of my showrooms.

Jewelry for Walls!

The Delphinus convex mirror is named for one of the smallest constellations in the heavens. There are two myths associated with the constellation Delphinus. In one, the dolphin constellation represents Poseidon’s messenger. When the sea god courted the nymph Amphitrite, one of the Nereids, she resisted his advances and took refuge among her sisters. Poseidon sent messengers to find her and bring her to him, among them a dolphin. The dolphin found the nymph, soothed her and brought her back to the god. The two were later married. Poseidon decided to honour the dolphin and placed his image among the stars.

Amphitrite riding Delphinus to her liaison with Poseidon. Note that she is checking out her appearance. Red Figure, Apulian vase C44 BC

In the other myth, it was Apollo, the god of poetry and music, who placed the dolphin among the constellations for saving the life of Arion, a poet and musician born on the island of Lesbos, whose skill with the lyre made him famous in the 7th century BC.

Arion was sailing back to Greece after a concert tour of southern Italy when the sailors who were also on the ship started plotting to take the money he had earned. Surrounded, Arion asked them to let him sing one last song. The sailors allowed this, and Arion’s music drew several dolphins to the ship. As he played, the dolphins swam alongside the ship and Arion decided to take a leap of faith and he jumped overboard.

Arion riding a “dolphin by Bouguereau

One of the dolphins saved him and carried him all the way back to Greece. In this version of the myth, Apollo placed the dolphin next to the constellation Lyra in the sky, and Lyra represents Arion’s lyre.

The constellation Delphinus was also sometimes referred to as Job’s Coffin because of its long, box-like shape. Mostly, the name was restricted to the asterism formed by Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta Delphini.

Thank you to constellations guide.com for the above!