Mirror
Unknown Artist
19th century
Medium
Glass, silk, metallic thread
Dimensions
4 x 3 in. (10.16 x 7.62 cm)
Classification
Textiles-Woven
Culture & Period
China · Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Florance Waterbury, 1944
Accession Number
44.136.22
Art Historical Context
This exquisite 19th-century pocket mirror from China's Qing dynasty (1644–1911) exemplifies the's masterful blend of functionality and opulent decoration. Measuring just 4 x 3 inches, this diminutive treasure—crafted with a glass mirror framed or backed by woven silk and shimmering metallic threads—was likely a personal accessory for elite women, reflecting the dynasty's prosperity and love for luxurious everyday objects. Classified as a woven textile in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Asian Art collection, the piece highlights advanced weaving techniques that intertwined fine silk with meta...