The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of March 29, 2024

TLV Mirror with Four Spirits and Companions

TLV Mirror with Four Spirits and Companions

9–100 CE
(202 BCE–220 CE)
Diameter: 19 cm (7 1/2 in.); Overall: 1.2 cm (1/2 in.); Rim: 0.7 cm (1/4 in.)
Location: not on view

Description

The back of this mirror shows a diagram of the universe. The concentric rings and swirling cloud band border represent heaven, while the square field around the knob designates the earth. The four directional spirits in the form of animals occupy the space between heaven and earth and are cast in fine lines between the band of swirling clouds and outside the square: the tiger guarding the west, the dragon protecting the east, the red bird representing the south, and the snake-entwined turtle guarding the north.
  • ?-1995
    Thomas and Martha Carter, Madison, WI, given to the Cleveland Museum of Art
    1995-
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • Chou, Ju-hsi. Circles of reflection: the Carter collection of Chinese bronze mirrors. Cleveland, Ohio: Cleveland Museum of Art, 2000. Reproduced: cat. no. 26, pp. 43-44, 106, 115
  • From Caves to Tombs: Chinese Pictorial Rubbings from Stone Reliefs (Chinese art rotation). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (June 11-November 14, 2021).
    Circles of Reflection: The Carter Collection of Chinese Bronze Mirrors. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (September 17-November 26, 2000); China Institute Gallery, New York, NY (February 6-June 2, 2002); Elvehjem Museum of Art, Madison, WI (December 20, 2003-February 29, 2004).
  • {{cite web|title=TLV Mirror with Four Spirits and Companions|url=false|author=|year=9–100 CE|access-date=29 March 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1995.301