26 juillet 2017

Mirror with Xiwangmu, c. 317-400, China, early Six Dynasties Period (317-581), bronze, Diameter: w. 18.5 cm (7 1/4 in.). The Severance and Greta Millikin Purchase Fund, 1983.213 © The Cleveland Museum of Art.

Mirror with Animals and Birds, early 700s, China, Tang dynasty (618-907), bronze inset with gilded-silver relief decoration, Diameter: w. 5.1 cm (2 in.). Edward L. Whittemore Fund, 1951.292 © The Cleveland Museum of Art. The silver inset of this mirror back was decorated with several hand-beaten techniques. High-relief birds, beasts, and foliage were hammered from the underside (repoussé) and finely chiseled on the front (chased). The background and border were punched with a metal stamp of tiny circles. Mirrors of this precious... [Lire la suite]

Mirror with Jade Disk Inset, China, Eastern Zhou dynasty (771-256 BC), late Warring States period (475-221 BC) - early Western Han dynasty (202 BC-AD 9), bronze with nephrite and turquoise, Diameter: w. 15.3 cm (6 in.). Gift of various donors to the department of Chinese art (by exchange), 2002.5 © The Cleveland Museum of Art. Mirrors with a jade disk inset are perhaps the rarest of all known bronze mirrors in China. This object's conception was unquestionably aristocratic, and it was meticulously and exquisitely crafted. Aided by... [Lire la suite]

Mirror with Four Running Animals, early 600s, China, Tang dynasty (618-907), bronze, Diameter: w. 9.6 cm (3 3/4 in.); Overall: h. 0.9 cm (5/16 in.); Rim: h. 0.7 cm (1/4 in.). Gift of Drs. Thomas and Martha Carter in Honor of Sherman E. Lee, 1995.338 © The Cleveland Museum of Art. Inscription: I received a gift: the mirror of the King of Qin.For this, I would have paid willingly a thousand taels of silver.In no way would I use it to unveil yourhidden desires.Verily, I only wish to lay bare my own heart.

Mirror with a Coiling Dragon, 700s, China, Tang dynasty (618-907), bronze, Diameter: w. 10.2 cm (4 in.); Overall: h. 1.1 cm (3/8 in.); Rim: h. 0.8 cm (5/16 in.). Gift of Drs. Thomas and Martha Carter in Honor of Sherman E. Lee, 1995.367 © The Cleveland Museum of Art. Cast in high-tin and low-lead bronze by the lost wax method, this mirror has a dark and lustrous patina known as heiqigu (literally, “black lacquer antique”). It bears a design of a coiling dragon among trailing clouds. With a small, elongated head connecting to an... [Lire la suite]

Mirror with Clouds and Nebulae, 200-100 BC, China, Western Han dynasty (202 BC-AD 9), bronze, Diameter: w. 10 cm (3 7/8 in.); Overall: h. 1.2 cm (7/16 in.); Rim: h. 0.4 cm (1/8 in.). Gift of Drs. Thomas and Martha Carter in Honor of Sherman E. Lee, 1995.288 © The Cleveland Museum of Art.

Mirror with Deities, Chariot, and the White Tiger, late 2nd to 3rd century, China, Eastern Han dynasty (25-220), bronze, Diameter: w. 19.5 cm (7 5/8 in.); Overall: h. 1.9 cm (11/16 in.); Rim: h. 1 cm (3/8 in.). Gift of Drs. Thomas and Martha Carter in Honor of Sherman E. Lee, 1995.331 © The Cleveland Museum of Art. Inscription: (Queen Mother); (Jade Maiden)

Master Zhang, Mirror with Two Dragons and a Tiger, 3rd Century, China, Three Kingdoms (221-280), bronze, Diameter: w. 14.7 cm (5 3/4 in.); Overall: h. 1.5 cm (9/16 in.); Rim: h. 1.1 cm (3/8 in.). Gift of Drs. Thomas and Martha Carter in Honor of Sherman E. Lee, 1995.322 © The Cleveland Museum of Art. Inscription: I, Master Zhang, produced this mirror,When alien tribes in four corners werebeing subjugated.Let us praise our Lord, for the people are given respite.After quelling the Hu and Qiang [tribes], he will restore... [Lire la suite]

Mirror with Four Pixie, early 5th-late 6th century, China, Southern and Northern Dynasties period (386-589), bronze, Diameter: w. 11.6 cm (4 9/16 in.); Overall: h. 1.3 cm (1/2 in.); Rim: h. 0.6 cm (3/16 in.). Gift of Drs. Thomas and Martha Carter in Honor of Sherman E. Lee, 1995.327 © The Cleveland Museum of Art. Inscription: I made the bright mirror,Having melted three metals.I have sculpted the classic paradigmsAnd the virtuous in myriad years.The human spirit is made manifestAnd heavenly deities reveal their noble forms.... [Lire la suite]

Mirror with Three Dragons, 3rd century BC, China, Eastern Zhou dynasty (771-256 BC), Warring States period (475-221 BC), bronze, Diameter: w. 16.9 cm (6 5/8 in.); Overall: h. 0.6 cm (3/16 in.); Rim: h. 0.4 cm (1/8 in.). Gift of Drs. Thomas and Martha Carter in Honor of Sherman E. Lee, 1995.280 © The Cleveland Museum of Art.