Mirror with Lotus and Mantra
Unknown Artist
1271–1368
Medium
bronze
Dimensions
h. 1.5 cm · diam. 22.3 cm
Classification
Metalwork
Department
Chinese Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Gift of Drs. Thomas and Martha Carter in Honor of Sherman E. Lee
Accession Number
1999.221
About this artwork
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.