Mirror with Cosmological Design 12th-13th century
anonymous
ornate
natural stone pattern
3d sculpting
egg art
pottery
cake food
detailed texture
bronze
unrealistic statue
stoneware
ceramic
This 12th-13th century Chinese bronze mirror, known as *Mirror with Cosmological Design*, is a fascinating example of ancient Chinese art and belief. It features a circular design with intricate details, including mythical creatures, symbols, and inscriptions. The mirror's back is adorned with a cosmological map depicting the universe, reflecting the importance of celestial bodies in Chinese culture. This mirror showcases the high artistic skill of anonymous artists and the sophistication of ancient Chinese technology. The mirror's use extended beyond personal grooming, serving as a representation of cosmic order and harmony.
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This mirror is a veritable map of the Korean cosmos with a central celestial frog surrounded by the divine animals of the four directions—the White Tiger of the West, Black Tortoise of the North, Azure Dragon of the East, and Vermillion Phoenix of the South. Successively larger bands depict the eight trigrams, the ten heavenly stems and twelve earthly branches, the twenty-eight lunar mansions, and the twenty-four solar terms. Finely cast bronze mirrors like this one were a standard luxury good among aristocratic men and women in early Korea. The fronts of the mirrors were polished to achieve a reflective surface, while the backs were cast in decorative relief and organized around a central domed eyelet to accommodate a cord. As magical solar disks, they were also frequently placed in tombs in the belief that they could illuminate the darkness.
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