TLV Mirror, early 1st Century - early 3rd Century, China, Eastern Han dynasty (25-220), bronze, Diameter: w. 14.2 cm (5 9/16 in.); Overall: h. 1 cm (3/8 in.); Rim: h. 0.5 cm (3/16 in.). Gift of Drs. Thomas and Martha Carter in Honor of Sherman E. Lee, 1995.296 © The Cleveland Museum of Art

The mirror was cast in a ceramic mold. The center knob and nipples were polished with a bow drill, the raised flat areas of decoration were polished and a chisel was used to smooth the square channel. The mirror was broken into five pieces that are now joined with lead tin solder. Dirt was applied to hide the joins.