Mirror with mythical birds and animals

Historical period(s)
Eastern Han dynasty, 25-220
Medium
Bronze
Dimensions
Diam x D: 14.3 x 1 cm (5 5/8 x 3/8 in)
Geography
China
Credit Line
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art Collection
Accession Number
F1944.3
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Metalwork, Mirror
Type

Mirror

Keywords
China, Eastern Han dynasty (25 - 220), mythological animal
Provenance

Mrs. Christian R. Holmes (1871-1941), New York and "The Chimneys," Sands Point, Port Washington, Long Island [1]

From at least 1944
Tonying and Company, New York, from at least February 1944 [2]

From 1944
Freer Gallery of Art, purchased from Tonying and Company on February 7, 1944 [3]

Notes:

[1] According to information provided by Tonying & Company, see Tonying and Company’s invoice, dated February 7, 1944, in which the mirror figures under no. B. 30: “Cricular Bronze Mirror, Bird and animal design, gray and turquoise-green patina / Han,” copy in object file.

[2] The acquisition of the mirror by the Freer Gallery was approved by C. G. Abbot, the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, on February 4, 1944, see “List of Objects Contemplated for Purchase by the Freer Gallery of Art,” copy in object file.

[3] See invoice cited in note 1. See also A. G. Wenley’s letter to C. F. Yau, Tonying & Company, dated February 5, 1944, in which Wenley confirms the purchase of the mirror along with seven other mirrors from the Holmes collection (see records for F1944.4-F1944.10).

Previous Owner(s) and Custodian(s)

Mrs. Christian R. Holmes 1871-1941
Tonying and Company established 1902

Published References
  • Anneliese Bulling. The Decoration of Mirrors of the Han Period: A Chronology. no. 20 Ascona, Switzerland. pl. 40.
  • Dagny Carter. Four Thousand Years of China's Art. New York. p. 68, c.
  • Florance Waterbury. Bird-Deities in China. Supplementum 10 Ascona, Switzerland. pp. 126-127, pl. 45.
Collection Area(s)
Chinese Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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