Mirror Case
Qing dynasty (1644–1911), 1875/1900
Medium
Embroidered with figures on horseback, embroidery on gauze.
Dimensions
17.3 × 19.6 cm (7 5/8 × 7 3/4 in.)
Classification
textile
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
22084
Art Historical Context
This exquisite **Mirror Case** from China's Qing dynasty (1644–1911), dating to around 1875–1900, showcases the era's masterful textile artistry. Crafted as a small, portable accessory—measuring just 17.3 × 19.6 cm—it was designed to hold a personal mirror, a common item for women in elite households. The surface is embroidered with dynamic figures on horseback, rendered in fine silk threads on delicate gauze, creating a lightweight, semi-translucent effect that allows light to play through the fabric. Embroidery on gauze was a sophisticated technique prized in late imperial China, demanding ...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...