Mirror
1750-1820 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Glass hand-mirror with backing plaque of enamelled copper, oval shape, painted with the Eight Buddhist symbols surrounding the double character 'xi xi (literally, happy wedding) on a ground of cash diaper in black on green; the frame painted with floral sprays on a deep blue ground, handle enamelled in transparent blue over a ground cast with scale pattern and overgilt with designs that incorporate a three-pointed crown or fleur-de-lys. The mirror has an ivory boss painted in red with a junction-piece of ivory painted in green and carved with scrolling leaves.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
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| Materials and techniques | Glass set in enamelled copper frame |
| Brief description | Mirror with handle, glass set in enamelled copper and ivory frame, China, Qing dynasty, Qianlong-Daoguang reign period, 1750-1820 |
| Physical description | Glass hand-mirror with backing plaque of enamelled copper, oval shape, painted with the Eight Buddhist symbols surrounding the double character 'xi xi (literally, happy wedding) on a ground of cash diaper in black on green; the frame painted with floral sprays on a deep blue ground, handle enamelled in transparent blue over a ground cast with scale pattern and overgilt with designs that incorporate a three-pointed crown or fleur-de-lys. The mirror has an ivory boss painted in red with a junction-piece of ivory painted in green and carved with scrolling leaves. |
| Dimensions |
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| Styles | |
| Marks and inscriptions | double character 'xi xi'
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| Gallery label | Mirror with handle
Qing dynasty
1750-1820
Chinese mirrors were traditionally made from polished metal. This is a European-style mirror, introduced into China in the 18th century.
Glass set in enamelled copper frame
L.H. Aste Gift
Museum no. FE.54-1970(2009) |
| Credit line | L.H. Aste Gift |
| Object history | From the collection of S.D. Winkworth, sold Sotheby's, 27 April 1938, lot 479, illustrated in the catalogue. |
| Production | Comparable mirrors of slightly different design are reproduced by J.A. Lloyd Hyde, Chinese Painted Enamels, Catalogue of an exhibition at the China House Gallery, New York, October 1969 - February 1970, no. 66, where they are attributed to the Qianlong and Daoguang reign periods. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | FE.54-1970 |
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| Record created | June 25, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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