Artwork Page for Mirror with 'Shan' (Mountain) Pattern

Details / Information for Mirror with 'Shan' (Mountain) Pattern

Mirror with 'Shan' (Mountain) Pattern

200s BCE

China, probably State of Chu, possibly Hunan province, Eastern Zhou dynasty (770–256 BCE), Warring States period

(475–221 BCE)
Medium
bronze
Measurements
Diameter: 18 cm (7 1/16 in.)
Credit Line
Edward L. Whittemore Fund 1972.34
Public Domain
You can copy, modify, and distribute this work, all without asking permission. Learn more about CMA's Open Access Initiative.
Location
Not on view
Print

Description

Chinese mirror-casting achieved new elegance and precision with the technical development of stamped clay molds over which molten bronze was poured. A small rectangular unit of design was repeatedly stamped to create this background of curls and granulation, which resembles feather-covered textiles known from early tomb finds. The dominant pattern of slanting "T," pressed down upon the mold after the overall background stamps, corresponds to the modern Chinese character for shan (山 or mountain). Whether the pattern was symbolic or decorative during the Zhou Dynasty is unknown. The site of manufacture is probably south China, since many mirrors of this type have been excavated from tombs in that area.

Mirror with 'Shan' (Mountain) Pattern

200s BCE

China, probably State of Chu, possibly Hunan province, Eastern Zhou dynasty (770–256 BCE), Warring States period (475–221 BCE)

See Also

Visually Similar by AI

    Contact Us

    The information about this object, including provenance, may not be currently accurate. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@clevelandart.org.

    To request more information about this object, study images, or bibliography, contact the Ingalls Library Reference Desk.

    All images and data available through Open Access can be downloaded for free. For images not available through Open Access, or any image with a color bar, request a digital file from Image Services.