black mirror

English

Noun

black mirror (plural black mirrors)

1. (painting) Synonym of Claude glass
   • 2004, Arnaud Maillet, translated by Jeff Fort, The Claude glass: use and meaning of the black mirror in western art, New York: Zone Books, →ISBN, page 120:

     Thus, when Manet speaks of using the black mirror—and X-ray examinations of the head seem to confirm his statements—he does so, apparently, in the manner of those Renaissance painters who saw it as a “judge” and “master”.

2. A mirror used to practice divination or other magic rituals.
   • 1903, Bram Stoker, “The Watchers”, in The Jewel of Seven Stars, published 1912:

     She had marvellous eyes; great, wide-open, and as black and soft as velvet, with a mysterious depth. To look in them was like gazing at a black mirror such as Doctor Dee used in his wizard rites.

3. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see black,‎ mirror.

See also

• catoptromancy