1905.83.3

Collection type

Object

Description

Bronze mirror, circular, with four Chinese characters and a perforated boss in the centre. [El.B DDF Body Arts Project 2010/2011 13/08/2010]

Long description

Bronze mirror, circular, with four Chinese characters and a perforated boss in the centre. One surface is covered with a dark green ?varnish. [El.B DDF Body Arts Project 2010/2011 13/08/2010]

Geographical reference

China

Asia > Eastern Asia > China

[Manchuria Manzhou] Liaoning Shenyang or Mukden

Cultural groups

Manchu

Person

Field collector Robert T. Turley

PRM source Robert T. Turley

Date / Period

Date made: Before 1905

Date collected

By 1905

Acquisition information

Loaned: 04/1905 Donated: 1913

Materials and processes

Material Bronze Metal, Material Copper Metal, Material Varnish, Process Cast, Process Inscribed, Process Perforated, Process Varnished

Dimensions

Diameter: max 200 mm

Object numbers

Accession number: 1905.83.3

Research and responses

This mirror appears to be inset with small pieces of copper. Of relevance to this is the Card Catalogue Entry for 1916.2.26 to .31 which reads : Manchuria, Mukden. 6 bronze circular mirrors with inset pieces of copper said to indicate the position of stars and planets on the birthday of the person for whom the mirror is made. * Coll. by R.T. Turley. d.d. H. Balfour, Feb 1916. * Mr G.L. Turner of the Museum of the History of Science, thinks this is unlikely, and refers to W.E. Ayrton, Proc. Royal Institute of Gt. Britain, vol. 9, 1879-1881, pp. 25-36, where it is stated that after forming, any holes in the casting are filled in with copper balls, the maker having a quantity og various sizes for the purpose. The final finish is a mercury amalgam, which would give a silvery, highly reflecting surface and completely hide the copper inserts. (This mercury amalgam has apparently worn off our specimens, where the copper is visible.) [JP 10/11/2000]

Search terms: Toilet, Writing, Mirror, Inscription, Toilet Article