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Source Description
Mirrors, along with swords and jade, were among the most important symbols of power. It is thought that mirrors held power through their ability to catch and reflect light. This rare trapezoid-shaped example is engraved with an image of the Avalokitesvara, Bodhisattva of Compassion and was used as a part of Buddhist rituals.
Scholar Source Context
Document identity
localId
98856
label
Mirror with the Image of Avalokitesvara
core
obj
dtoType
object
pageCount
1
Source metadata
id
98856
contentType
object
title
Mirror with the Image of Avalokitesvara
description
Mirrors, along with swords and jade, were among the most important symbols of power. It is thought that mirrors held power through their ability to catch and reflect light. This rare trapezoid-shaped example is engraved with an image of the Avalokitesvara, Bodhisattva of Compassion and was used as a part of Buddhist rituals.
date
early 1900s
rights
CC0
rightsUri
CC0
language
en
wikidata
Q79485808
genreSpecific
Metalwork
imageCount
1
source
import
dimensionsRaw
Overall: 15.7 x 13 cm (6 3/16 x 5 1/8 in.)
cul
Korea, Joseon dynasty (1392–1910)
accession
1918.531
Source extras
tec
bronze with incised Buddhist designs
tombstone
Mirror with the Image of Avalokitesvara (백동 관음보살 경상 [白銅觀音菩薩文鏡像]), early 1900s. Korea, Joseon dynasty (1392–1910). Bronze with incised Buddhist designs; overall: 15.7 x 13 cm (6 3/16 x 5 1/8 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Director's Contingent Fund, 1918.531
titleInOriginalLanguage
백동 관음보살 경상 [白銅觀音菩薩文鏡像]
collection
Korean Art
didYouKnow
Due to its origin as an important tool in religion and politics, mirrors are often mentioned in many Korean proverbs that warn certain behaviors.
citations
citation
An, Gui-sook, <em>Korean Bronze Artisans </em>[유기장]. Seoul: Hwasan munhwa, 2002.
creditline
Director's Contingent Fund
updatedAt
2026-05-29 05:20:26.869000
sourceId
98856
dept
Korean Art
coll
Korean Art
med
bronze with incised Buddhist designs
thumbnail_url
image_url
Single page context
seq
1
pageIndex
0
type
photo
mediaId
3207ec01c0fc61b5