Mirror Stand&Stand
13th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Mirrors in China are associated with ceremonial rites and magic and mysticism, as well as with ordinary cosmetic purposes. Many mirrors had links with the Chinese mystical philosophy of Taoism. This beautiful mirror stand seems to combine a practical use perhaps for a lady of leisure, with Taoist symbolism. It takes the form of a mythical one-horned beast called 'xiniu'. This form of mirror stand represents the classical allusion 'the xiniu longs for the moon', with the mirror being the moon. The meaning of the allusion being that miracles can be brought into being by mental activity alone.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Bronze, parcel-gilt |
| Brief description | Mirror-stand and stand, parcel-gilt bronze, China, Song or Yuan dynasty (960-1368) 13th century |
| Physical description | Bronze mirror-stand with parcel-gilt, in the form of a recumbent animal called a 'xiniu', with the mirror-holder on its back in the shape of a crescent moon and clouds. The animal is looking around at the moon (which would be represented by a bronze mirror) rising above a bank of clouds. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Style | |
| Credit line | Salting Bequest |
| Object history | Bequeathed by Mr. George Salting, accessioned in 1910. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Asia Department registers, as part of a 2022 provenance research project. |
| Summary | Mirrors in China are associated with ceremonial rites and magic and mysticism, as well as with ordinary cosmetic purposes. Many mirrors had links with the Chinese mystical philosophy of Taoism. This beautiful mirror stand seems to combine a practical use perhaps for a lady of leisure, with Taoist symbolism. It takes the form of a mythical one-horned beast called 'xiniu'. This form of mirror stand represents the classical allusion 'the xiniu longs for the moon', with the mirror being the moon. The meaning of the allusion being that miracles can be brought into being by mental activity alone. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.737:1&2-1910 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | September 20, 2002 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
