c. 1800-1850
Rectangular mirror case with hinged lid. On its exterior surfaces, this mirror case bears decorative schemes of mixed flowers with birds and butterflies that were popular in lacquer wares during the 18th and 19th centuries. The compositions on the outer face of the lid and the case back are very similar, but not identical. The outer face of the lid is, however, virtually identical to the front and back of 2014.386. The inner face of the lid is decorated with a gathering of dervishes in a riverine landscape. A white-bearded man holding a staff kneels in the middle ground, flanked by two clean-shaven dervishes; a pipe-smoking bearded man is seated in the foreground.
frame: 24 × 15.6 × 1.6 cm (9 7/16 × 6 1/8 × 5/8 in.) shutter: 21.6 × 13.2 × 0.5 cm (8 1/2 × 5 3/16 × 3/16 in.)
Ezzat-Malek Soudavar, Geneva, Switzerland (by 2014), by descent; to her son Abolala Soudavar, Houston, Texas (2014), gift; to Harvard Art Museums, 2014. Note: Ezzat-Malek Soudavar (1913-2014) formed this collection over a period of sixty years. She purchased the works of art on the international art market.
Cast bronze; with localized areas of parcel gilding and dated inscription
9th centuryChineseLeaded bronze
4th-3rd century BCEGreekCast bronze
1st-3rd century CEChineseCast bronze
8th centuryChineseCast bronze
8th centuryChineseBronze, silver inlay
4th century BCEEtruscanBronze
4th-3rd century BCEEtruscanBronze
3rd century BCEEtruscanCast bronze
1st century CEChineseAnimal bone
4th century BCEEtruscanCast bronze
1st-3rd century CEChineseCast bronze with two integrally cast inscriptions (one auspicious, one documentary)
2nd century CEChinese