MirrorsKorean12th-14th century

Pentafoliate Mirror with Well-Defined Rim and Decoration of Geese Flying Amidst Floral Scrolls

12th-14th century

Description

A well-articulated, relief lip encloses this mirror, which is generally circular in form, though its lip and border are segmented into five well-defined lobes. The mirror's decorated back is divided into three concentric sections, including a broad border (just inside the raised lip), a slightly sunken medallion, and the central boss. The broad border is decorated with a simple, repeating floral scroll. The slightly sunken medallion is embellished with a floral arabesque that includes foliage, blossoms, and scrolling stems and tendrils. Two geese appear within the floral arabesque; their wings spread in flight, the geese appear on either side of the central boss. With one goose seeming to ascend and the other appearing to descend, the geese perfectly complement each other; this slight asymmetricality injects a hint of tension into the otherwise balanced and virtually bilaterally symmetrical composition. Generally hemispherical, the central boss has a flattened top and is surrounded by a ring of raised dots. With its segmented lip and border, this mirror suggests the form of a five-petaled flower; in that context, the central boss and surrounding ring of dots might be interpreted at the flower's heart surrounded by its pistils and stamen. The reflecting face of the mirror is flat and undecorated. In contrast to most Korean mirrors from the Kory? period, this mirror shows very little patination, though small, localized areas of patina appear on both its decorated back and its reflecting face.

Classification

Mirrors

Medium

Cast bronze

Culture

Korean

Period

Koryŏ dynasty, 918-1392

Century

12th-14th century

Division

Asian and Mediterranean Art

Department

Department of Asian Art

Dimensions

W. 11 cm (4 5/16 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.