Bronze mirror with design of interlaced circles and raised dots

Circular bronze mirror with raised plain outer rim and a domed hemispherical pierced boss in the center. The main body of the back of the mirror is decorated with raised petal motif encircling the central boss and interlocked double circles (qianwen) with raised dots occurring at the point where the circles coincide. Clusters of five raised dots are arranged in the diamond-shaped areas formed by the interlocking double circles. A circle of raised dots and a single raised band enclose the overall design. Grayish-green mottled patina.

Historical period(s)
Song dynasty, 960-1279
Medium
Bronze
Dimensions
Diam x D: 16.2 x 0.8 cm (6 3/8 x 5/16 in)
Geography
China
Credit Line
Gift of Mrs. Hubert Grigaut
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art Collection
Accession Number
F1979.48
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Metalwork, Mirror
Type

Mirror

Keywords
China, Song dynasty (960 - 1279)
Provenance

To 1974
Mrs. Hubert Grigaut, Washington, DC [1]

From 1974
Freer Gallery of Art, gift of Mrs. Hubert Grigaut, Washington, DC [2]

Notes:

[1] See letter to Mrs. Hubert Grigaut dated November 14, 1974, copy in object file, Collections Managment Office.

[2] Object came to the Study Collection in 1974. See note 1. Also see Freer Gallery of Art Purchase List after 1920 file, Collections Management Office.

Previous Owner(s) and Custodian(s)

Mrs. Hubert Grigaut

Description

Circular bronze mirror with raised plain outer rim and a domed hemispherical pierced boss in the center. The main body of the back of the mirror is decorated with raised petal motif encircling the central boss and interlocked double circles (qianwen) with raised dots occurring at the point where the circles coincide. Clusters of five raised dots are arranged in the diamond-shaped areas formed by the interlocking double circles. A circle of raised dots and a single raised band enclose the overall design. Grayish-green mottled patina.

Collection Area(s)
Chinese Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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