Foliated mirror with birds and floral scrolls

Object Details

• Label

  This lobed mirror consists of a cast bronze body to which has been affixed sheet of gold that was previously worked with repousse and incised figures on a ring-punched background. The foliated designs arranged symetrically around the central boss are auspicious symbols.

• Collection

  Freer Gallery of Art Collection

• Exhibition History

  Center of the World: China and the Silk Road (October 14, 2017 - ongoing)

  Silk Road Exhibition (August 18 to December 25, 2011)

  Silk Road Luxuries from China (November 5, 2011 to January 3, 2016)

  Luxury Arts of the Silk Route Empires (May 9, 1993 to January 28, 2007)

  Chinese Art (February 18, 1983 to April 1, 1987)

  Chinese Art (March 15, 1982 to June 15, 1982)

  Chinese Art (January 1, 1963 to March 6, 1981)

  Chinese Bronze, Jade, Metalwork (March 1, 1957 to January 1, 1963)

  Centennial Exhibition, Galleries 14 and 15 (February 25, 1956 to March 1, 1957)

  Untitled Exhibition, Chinese Metalwork and Painting, East Corridor (February 15, 1955 to August 26, 1955)

  Special Mirror Exhibition (November 16, 1954 to February 25, 1955)

  Untitled Exhibition, Ancient Chinese Art, 1946 (May 7, 1946 to February 25, 1956)

  Untitled Exhibition, Chinese Art, 1944 (November 15, 1944 to May 6, 1946)

  Untitled Exhibition, Chinese Metalwork, Pottery, and Painting (March 23, 1944 to May 2, 1946)

  Untitled Exhibition, Chinese Painting and Metalwork, 1943 (October 4, 1943 to March 23, 1944)

  Untitled Exhibition, Chinese Metalwork (March 14, 1931 to March 22, 1943)

  Untitled Exhibition, Shahnama and Chinese Art (March 24, 1930 to May 5, 1933)

• Origin

  China

• Credit Line

  Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment

• Type

  Mirror

• On View

  Freer Gallery 16: Center of the World: China and the Silk Road

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

  There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  600s, 700s

• Place

  China

• Topic

  Bronze, Repoussé, Art, Sculpture, Punching, Chinese Art, Tang dynasty (618 - 907), Chasing, Metal-work

• Culture

  Chinese

• Object Type

  Mirrors

• On View

  Yes