Six-Lobed Mirror Decorated with Mother-of-Pearl
- Date
-
制作年 Tang dynasty (7−8th century)
- Title
- ヘイラデンハイロッカキョウ
- Measurements
- D. 10.7
- Materials, techniques and shape
- Bronze, mother-of-pearl, amber, turquoise
- Collections
- Century Akao Collection
- Depository
- Keio Museum Commons Campus Mita
- Ref. number
- AW-CEN-001112-0000
- License
- CC BY Images license
- Creditline
-
慶應義塾（センチュリー赤尾コレクション）
- URL
- Classification
- Art
- AI Tagging
- Dishware Natural material Art Circle Pattern
This mirror dates from Tang dynasty (618-907), and is in many respects similar to mirrors held in Shosoin repository, the treasure-house of the Todaiji temple at Nara, which were imported into Japan during the Tang dynasty. The splendid decoration on the reverse side is done in mother-of-pearl, amber and jewel inlay. The central knob (boss) is encircled by sections of mother-of-pearl in the form of a six-petal flower. In addition to the mother-of-pearl lamina, pearl oyster shells are used to represent an auspicious floral scroll, this particular plant being of the Chinese vine plant design (tsuru-karakusa), a pattern again based on a fictitious flower unique to Buddhist art. Leaf filigree is incised on the shell surfaces, which are inlaid with delicate pieces of amber and Turkish stones to complete the flower forms. The pinnacle of achievement here, however, lies not in these remarkable touches, but in their underlying base – a perfectly crafted platform of lacquer mixed with pearl-shell powder. An exquisite tribute to the aestheticism of the high Tang period, this piece represents a triumph for fine craftsmanship.
This mirror is beautifully decorated with jewels and mother-of-pearl inlays, which are shells that were polished until they become shiny, processed into the shape of a design, and then inlaid onto the surface. During the Tang dynasty (618–907), techniques to cast mirrors developed further, and various other decorative techniques were used in addition to the casting of copper. In this mirror, six flower petals are shown around the knob, and the area around the knob shows a hōsōge (an imaginary flower motif common in Buddhist art). In addition, the surface of the shells is carved elaborately with kebori (hairline engraving), showing the advanced stage of carving in China at the time.
In addition to the pearls, red amber and turquoise can also be seen. One of the few similar mirrors in the collection of the Shōsōin Repository is said to have been made with decorative materials from Southeast and Central Asia. Since this work has a similar shape and design, an analysis of the materials needs to be conducted to clarify its relationship with other imported goods from Tang-dynasty China.
Description from the exhibition Catalogue "Letter-scape: Century Akao Collection, A World of Letters and Figures", Keio Museum Commons, April 2021
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Identifiers
- Title (EN)
- Six-Lobed Mirror Decorated with Mother-of-Pearl
Physical description
- Weights and quantities
-
Quantity 1面
- Materials, techniques and shape
-
Materials 銀色
- Attachments
- 布貼外箱
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