Harvard Art Museums > 2010.556: Circular Mirror with High Rim and Decoration of Two Cranes in Flight and Stylized Pine-Needle Clusters, the Central Boss in the Form of a Tortoise Mirrors Collections Search Exit Deep Zoom Mode Zoom Out Zoom In Reset Zoom Full Screen Add to Collection Order Image Copy Link Copy Citation Citation"Circular Mirror with High Rim and Decoration of Two Cranes in Flight and Stylized Pine-Needle Clusters, the Central Boss in the Form of a Tortoise , 2010.556,” Harvard Art Museums collections online, Apr 25, 2024, https://hvrd.art/o/336955. Reuse via IIIF Toggle Deep Zoom Mode Download This object does not yet have a description. Identification and Creation Object Number 2010.556 Title Circular Mirror with High Rim and Decoration of Two Cranes in Flight and Stylized Pine-Needle Clusters, the Central Boss in the Form of a Tortoise Classification Mirrors Work Type mirror Date probably 17th century Period Edo period, 1615-1868 Culture Japanese Persistent Link https://hvrd.art/o/336955 Physical Descriptions Medium Cast bronze Dimensions Diam. 11.4 x H. 1 cm (4 1/2 x 3/8 in.) Provenance Recorded Ownership History [through ?, Japan, mid 1960s], sold; to Jerry Lee Musslewhite (mid 1960s-2009); to Estate of Jerry Lee Musslewhite (2009-2010), sold; to Harvard Art Museums, 2010. NOTE: Jerry Lee Musslewhite was an employee of the U.S. Department of Defense who worked in the Republic of Korea from 1965 to 1969 and often traveled to Japan. Acquisition and Rights Credit Line Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Purchase through the generosity of Alan J. and Suzanne W. Dworsky Accession Year 2010 Object Number 2010.556 Division Asian and Mediterranean Art Contact am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu Permissions The Harvard Art Museums encourage the use of images found on this website for personal, noncommercial use, including educational and scholarly purposes. To request a higher resolution file of this image, please submit an online request. Descriptions Description A well-articulated, relief lip encircles the periphery of this circular mirror, whose decorated back features three concentric rings of stylized pine-needle clusters. The outside ring includes twenty-two pine-needle clusters; separated from the outer ring by a single, raised bowstring line, the middle ring includes sixteen clusters; the inner ring, which is interrupted by a design of two cranes in flight, includes just seven clusters. The beaks of the two facing cranes touch just above the head of the striding tortoise, depicted from above, that serves as the mirror's central boss (from which a silk cord would have been attached for holding the mirror or for attaching it to a mirror stand). The mirror's reflecting face is flat and undecorated. The mirror, which is very heavy for its size, was cast with a bronze alloy rich in tin, so that the metal appears sliver in color. It lacks any patina. Verification Level This record was created from historic documentation and may not have been reviewed by a curator; it may be inaccurate or incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
