Description:

Asian Art. Central Asia, Tibet, ca. 19th century CE. A gilt bronze frame and convex silver disc, gilded on its back and highly polished on its front, that is held in the frame using clips on its back. The frame has fantastical, dense, iconography of intertwined vines and the Eight Auspicious Symbols: the conch, umbrella, banner, fish, dharma wheel, auspicious drawing, lotus flower, and vase of treasure. These are in various states of relief, forming a raised border that stands in strong contrast to the smooth, reflective surface of the silver mirror. Size when both parts are together: 9.4" W (23.9 cm)

The American Museum of Natural History (70.2/386) has an example of a divination mirror similar to this one, although that one has a cloth backing and a highly polished iron (rather than silver) reflective surface. Tibetan mirrors, called "melong," are made to be worn around the neck, or placed in shrines inside of offering bowls. They are called "thugs-kyi melong," a mirror of the mind, when used for divination. The Eight Auspicious Symbols around the border - known as the Ashtamangala - are used as teaching tools, representing the gifts Buddha made immediately after he gained Enlightenment.

Provenance: private Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA collection

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#125682

  • Condition: Patina on surfaces of both, with excellent gilding remaining on the frame. Slight bending to form. One of the clips to hold the mirror to the frame is lost; the other two are functional.

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August 31, 2017 7:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000