Circular Mirror with Well-Articulated Rim and Decoration of Two Pairs of Bowstring Lines
12th-14th century
Description
A well-articulated, concave lip borders the periphery of this circular mirror; the mirror's slightly countersunk back is flat and unembellished, save for two concentric pairs of intaglio bowstring lines that encircle small, hemispherical central boss (from which a silk cord would have been attached for holding the mirror or for attaching it to a mirror stand). The reflecting face of the mirror is flat and undecorated. A thin but even, celadon-green patina covers the mirror's decorated back; the same patina originally covered the reflecting face, though portions of that patina has been scraped away in modern times.
Dimensions
Diam. 12.9 cm (5 1/16 in.)
Provenance
[through ?, Korea, mid 1960s]; 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.
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