Mirror

ClassificationsFurnishings-Accessories-mirrors

Date618-906 CE

Made AtChina, Asia

MediumBronze

Dimensions1/4 × 3 1/2 in. (0.6 × 8.9 cm)

Credit LineGift of James Carona

Object number2000.64.4

DescriptionThis object is a bronze mirror from the Tang Dynasty (619-907). Although it may be hard to imagine due to its current state of oxidation, the smooth reverse side of this object was once polished so finely that one could see their reflection in the bronze.

The opposite side features a dog and grape design. The dogs frolic among the grapes with splayed paws and tufted tails. Incorporating animal imagery into objects was popular from the Six Dynasties period into the Sui dynasty and early Tang dynasty. The combination of animals and grapes is an art style derived from both Chinese and foreign cultures. Grapes were originally foreign to China and are said to have been brought over by Zhang Qian who traveled the Silk Road between 138-126 BCE as an envoy of Emperor Wu of the Han dynasty.

On View

On view