- Identification and Creation
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- Object Number
- 2010.436
- Title
- Circular Mirror with Relief Decoration of Birds, Beasts, and Human Figures
- Classification
- Mirrors
- Work Type
- mirror
- Date
- 1st-2nd century
- Places
- Creation Place: East Asia, China
- Period
- Han dynasty, Eastern Han period, 25-220 CE
- Culture
- Chinese
- Persistent Link
- https://hvrd.art/o/315424
- Physical Descriptions
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- Medium
- Cast bronze
- Dimensions
- Diam. 15.8 cm (6 1/4 in.)
- Provenance
- Edmund Lin (1928-2006; Professor, Harvard Medical School), Boston; by bequest to the Harvard Art Museum
- Acquisition and Rights
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- Credit Line
- Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Edmund Chi Chien Lin
- Accession Year
- 2010
- Object Number
- 2010.436
- Division
- Asian and Mediterranean Art
- Contact
- am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
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- Descriptions
-
- Description
- The high beveled rim on this circular mirror sinks downward into four bands of geometric bordering -- sawtooth, chevrons, sawtooth, and short straight radiating lines. Within the border of radiating lines is a circular ring with an inscription cast in thread relief that encircles the main decorative field. There are 6 pointed bosses spaced equidistantly around the center of the decorative field. Between the pointed bosses there is one bird, one beast, or a pair of human figures. A ring with two pairs of confronting dragons (or animals?) raised in relief encircle a large hemispherical boss at the center. There are some localized areas of patina on the reflecting side of the mirror.
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This record was created from historic documentation and may not have been reviewed by a curator; it may be inaccurate or incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu