Mirror
1100-1300 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
In East Asia, bronze mirrors were used until the 18th to 19th centuries, when glass mirrors were introduced by European traders. The undecorated surface of the mirror was polished to a high sheen, creating a good reflective surface. A string would have been inserted through a perforated knob on the reverse side to form a handle with which the mirror could be held. This mirror dates to the Koryo period (918-1392), when a huge number of different types of bronze mirrors was made.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Cast bronze |
| Brief description | Bronze mirror with chrysanthemum design |
| Physical description | A circular bronze mirror, decorated with stylised chrysanthemum blossoms inside a raised band 7mm from the edge. At the centre is a rounded knob. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Gallery label | 4. Five Goryeo-gyeong (bronze mirrors)
Goryeo dynasty (918–1392)
Korean bronze mirrors, Goryeo-gyeong, were produced on a large scale and in a wide variety of shapes from the 10th century. They were often elaborately patterned on one side, while the other was polished to a high sheen to provide a reflection. A loop at the top of the mirror allowed for a string to be put through to make a handle or a hanging system. Bronze mirrors were used until glass mirrors were imported to the Korean peninsula in the late 17th century.
Cast bronze
Museum no. FE.229-1974 given by Miss Christobel Hardcastle
Museum nos. M.77,82,86-1937 |
| Credit line | Given by Miss Christobel Hardcastle |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | In East Asia, bronze mirrors were used until the 18th to 19th centuries, when glass mirrors were introduced by European traders. The undecorated surface of the mirror was polished to a high sheen, creating a good reflective surface. A string would have been inserted through a perforated knob on the reverse side to form a handle with which the mirror could be held. This mirror dates to the Koryo period (918-1392), when a huge number of different types of bronze mirrors was made. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | FE.229-1974 |
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| Record created | February 3, 2000 |
| Record URL |
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