Mirror
5th-6th century
Maker Unknown
Asian Art
This thin cast bronze mirror has a perforated central boss from which to hang a cord. Framed in the center of the mirror are four mythical and auspicious animals: a dragon, a tiger, a deer, and a two-headed bird. The dragon, in addition to symbolizing the ruler, has the power to repel evil spirits and control natural phenomena such as floods and droughts. The tiger represents valor and courage as well as protection from disease. The deer is a symbol of longevity and friendship. The bird refers not merely to a prosperous future but to immortality itself, as the deceased might fly, symbolically, on its back to heaven.
- Maker/Artist
- Maker Unknown
- Classification
- Accessory
- Formatted Medium
- Bronze
- Medium
- bronze
- Locations
- Place made: Korea
- Period
- Three Kingdoms Period
- Dimensions
- 4 1/2 in. (11.4 cm)
- Departments
- Asian Art
- Accession Number
- 2010.85.1
- Credit Line
- Gift of Dr. and Mrs. John P. Lyden
- Exhibitions
- Arts of Korea
- Rights Statement
- Creative Commons-BY
- Museum Location
- Asian Galleries, South, 2nd floor
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