An artwork on Galleree from Cleveland Museum of Art.
About the artwork
Mirror with Phoenixes, Birds, Butterflies, and Floral Sprays700s
This extremely rare <em>pingtuo </em>mirror is coated with a lacquer base inlaid with paper-thin sheets of silver and gold. The decorative patterns, especially the floral arabesques and the phoenixes and birds holding branches in their mouths, have a pronounced Persian and Central Asian flavor. Luxury items like this had been used by the Tang emperor as diplomatic gifts. A similar example from the Japanese imperial collection of Emperor Shōmu was donated by Empress Kōmyō in 756 to the Shōsō-in repository of the Tōdai-ji Temple, Nara, Japan.
Mirrors like this have a polished side for viewing and a decorated side with a central knob for lifting.
bronze with silver and gold inlaid lacquer
Diameter: 19.2 cm (7 9/16 in.)
Leonard C. Hanna, Jr. Fund
In a quiet corner of a gallery, a glimmering object draws the eye—a mirror, unlike any other. This splendid artifact, known as a *pingtuo*, opens the door to a world steeped in history and artistry. Its surface, coated with a rich lacquer, is not just a reflective glass; it is a canvas adorned with delicate sheets of silver and gold, glistening like sunlight on a tranquil lake.
As you lean in closer, the intricate patterns come to life. Floral arabesques dance across the surface, intertwining gracefully with phoenixes and birds, each clutching branches in their beaks. These designs whisper tales of cultures far removed, echoing the richness of Persian and Central Asian influences woven into every meticulous detail. The craftsmanship resonates with a time when luxury was not merely an indulgence but a vessel for diplomacy.
Picture a Tang emperor, regal and poised, presenting such a mirror to a visiting dignitary as a symbol of goodwill and cultural exchange. This very piece, a treasure from the past, represents a world where art and politics wove a delicate tapestry of relationships.
In a serene moment of reflection, one cannot help but recall a similar mirror from a different era and distant land. It once graced the Japanese imperial collection of Emperor Shōmu. In 756, Empress Kōmyō, with a spirit of generosity, donated it to the Shōsō-in repository at Tōdai-ji Temple in Nara, Japan. This gesture symbolizes the shared appreciation for beauty that transcends borders and time, a cultural bridge connecting distant hearts.
As you step back and allow the stories behind the *pingtuo* mirror to wash over you, its surface seems to shimmer with the lives it has touched. Each glint in the lacquered surface speaks of history, connection, and the artistry that binds us across nations and generations. It is in this simple mirror that we are reminded of the enduring power of art to reflect our shared humanity.
About the artist
Creating transformative experiences through art “for the benefit of all the people forever.”The Cleveland Museum of Art is renowned for the quality and breadth of its collection, which includes more than 66,500 artworks and spans 6,000 years of achievement in the arts. The artworks shared on this platform are sourced from the museum's Open Access data under the CC0 license. No endorsement is implied.Address: 11150 East Boulevard, Cleveland, OH, USA 44106
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