probably 12th century
This circular bronze mirror has a plain outer border of medium width. The main decorated field is circular, slightly sunken, and bordered by a circle of tiny beads. The main field is filled with peony scrolls in relatively low relief. The reflecting side of the mirror has been highly polished, but bears localized areas of brown patina.
Diam. 21.8 cm (8 9/16 in.)
Edmund Lin (1928-2006; Professor, Harvard Medical School), Boston; by bequest to the Harvard Art Museum
Copper alloy
4th century BCEGreekCast Bronze with decoration cold-painted in mineral pigments; reputedly from Changsha, Hunan province
1st century BCEChineseOpaque watercolor, gold-colored pigments, and lacquer on pasteboard
19th centuryPersianCast bronze
17th centuryJapaneseCast bronze
1st century BCEChineseCast bronze
8th centuryChineseCast bronze
5th-3rd century BCEChineseCast bronze
1st-2nd century CEChineseCopper alloy
4th century BCEEtruscanCopper alloy
4th century BCEGreekCast bronze with three integrally cast inscriptions (one auspicious and two documentary)
1st century CEChineseCast bronze; with two integrally cast auspicious inscriptions
1st-3rd century CEChinese