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Lobed Mirror with Heaven and Earth between the Paired Phoenixes
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This mirror bears an important inscription as well as symbolic imagery of the Eight Trigrams and Heaven and Earth to express the ancient Chinese cosmological ideas. The inscription reads: <br>Circle above and square below: <br>These are symbolic of heaven and earth. <br>In the middle are the Eight Trigrams. <br>Making clear [the forces of] yin and yang. <br>Stars and constellations are well aligned; <br>The sun and the moon are virtuous and bright. <br>Circulating around [the earth] is water, <br>Giving identity to the Four Great Rivers. <br>Within are the mountain ranges, <br>To signify the lordly heights.
| Artist / Maker | China, Tang dynasty (618-907) |
|---|---|
| Date | mid to late 700s |
| Culture / Origin | China, Tang dynasty (618-907) |
| Medium | bronze |
| Dimensions | Diameter: 22.5 cm (8 7/8 in.); Overall: 1.1 cm (7/16 in.); Rim: 0.7 cm (1/4 in.) |
| Department | Chinese Art |
| Type | Metalwork |
About the Artist
Provenance & Source
Image & data: Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 / Public Domain.
Condition
A detailed condition report and high-resolution photography are available from our specialists in advance of the sale.
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