MirrorsJapanese17th century

Circular Mirror with High Rim and Decoration of Two Cranes in Flight and Stylized Pine-Needle Clusters, the Central Boss in the Form of a Tortoise

probably 17th century

Description

A well-articulated, relief lip encircles the periphery of this circular mirror, whose decorated back features three concentric rings of stylized pine-needle clusters. The outside ring includes twenty-two pine-needle clusters; separated from the outer ring by a single, raised bowstring line, the middle ring includes sixteen clusters; the inner ring, which is interrupted by a design of two cranes in flight, includes just seven clusters. The beaks of the two facing cranes touch just above the head of the striding tortoise, depicted from above, that serves as the mirror's central boss (from which a silk cord would have been attached for holding the mirror or for attaching it to a mirror stand). The mirror's reflecting face is flat and undecorated. The mirror, which is very heavy for its size, was cast with a bronze alloy rich in tin, so that the metal appears sliver in color. It lacks any patina.

Classification

Mirrors

Medium

Cast bronze

Culture

Japanese

Period

Edo period, 1615-1868

Century

17th century

Division

Asian and Mediterranean Art

Department

Department of Asian Art

Dimensions

Diam. 11.4 x H. 1 cm (4 1/2 x 3/8 in.)

Provenance

[through ?, Japan, mid 1960s], sold; to Jerry Lee Musslewhite (mid 1960s-2009); to Estate of Jerry Lee Musslewhite (2009-2010), sold; to Harvard Art Museums, 2010. NOTE: Jerry Lee Musslewhite was an employee of the U.S. Department of Defense who worked in the Republic of Korea from 1965 to 1969 and often traveled to Japan.