Mirror with Lotus and Mantra

Description

This mirror features intricate Buddhist designs. Around the central knob are four leaves, a ring of tiny beads, and then a circle made up of small lotus flower designs. Outside of that are eight big petal shapes, inside each is a Sanskrit letter. The mirror has the phrase "In the name of Om mani padme hum" written in a slightly incorrect form of Sanskrit, possibly because the Chinese mirror maker was not familiar with the language.

Provenance

Thomas and Martha Carter, Madison, WI, given to the Cleveland Museum of Art (?-1999); The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (1999-)

Mirror with Lotus and Mantra

[]

1271–1368

Accession Number

1999.221

Medium

bronze

Dimensions

Diameter: 22.3 cm (8 3/4 in.); Overall: 1.5 cm (9/16 in.); Rim: 0.7 cm (1/4 in.)

Classification

Metalwork

Museum

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Cleveland, United States

Credit Line

Gift of Drs. Thomas and Martha Carter in Honor of Sherman E. Lee