Mirror casing

ca. 1600-1700

This mirror back is carved with an elaborate flowering plant, a motif popularized during the reign of the Mughal emperor Jahangir (reigned 1605–27). On the front, a ring of small cabochon rubies set in gold surrounds the area for the mirror, which is missing. Given its sumptuous setting, the mirror was likely glass coated with a blend of tin and mercury and imported from Venice, a leader in glass technology.

Nephrite, rubies, gold

4 x 1/4 in. (10.16 x 0.64 cm)

L.: 6 5/16 in.

Eugene Fuller Memorial Collection

65.101

Photo: Elizabeth Mann

Now on view at the Asian Art Museum

Resources

Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Asian Art Museum, Boundless: Stories of Asian Art, Feb. 8, 2020 - ongoing.

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