Artwork Page for Mirror with Lotus and Mantra

Details / Information for Mirror with Lotus and Mantra

Mirror with Lotus and Mantra

蓮花鏡

1271–1368

China, Yuan dynasty

(1271-1368)
Medium
bronze
Measurements
Diameter: 22.3 cm (8 3/4 in.); Overall: 1.5 cm (9/16 in.); Rim: 0.7 cm (1/4 in.)
Weight: 787 g (1.74 lbs.)
Credit Line
Gift of Drs. Thomas and Martha Carter in Honor of Sherman E. Lee 1999.221
Public Domain
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Location
239 Chinese Ceramics and Metalwork
Print
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Did You Know?

A mantra, or meditative statement, is embedded in the petals of the lotus flower on the mirror's back.

Description

This mirror features intricate Buddhist designs. Around the central knob are four leaves, a ring of tiny beads, and then a circle made up of small lotus flower designs. Outside of that are eight big petal shapes, inside each is a Sanskrit letter. The mirror has the phrase "In the name of Om mani padme hum" written in a slightly incorrect form of Sanskrit, possibly because the Chinese mirror maker was not familiar with the language.
A circular bronze mirror, weathered with a mottled green and brown patina, features a central raised knob. From this center, an eight-petaled lotus unfolds, each petal embossed with a single Sanskrit character and intricate scrollwork. A dense ring of small floral rosettes, detailed with tiny dots, circles the lotus motif. A plain, slightly raised rim borders the entire disk, framing the concentric patterns that radiate across its aged metallic surface.

Mirror with Lotus and Mantra

1271–1368

China, Yuan dynasty (1271-1368)

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