id: 144859 accession number: 1969.78.4 share license status: CC0 url: https://clevelandart.org/art/1969.78.4 updated: 2022-06-04 09:00:51.619000 Inlay for a Mirror or Box: shih-shih, c. 900-1000. China, Tang dynasty (618-907) - Song dynasty (960-1279). Beaten silver with chased details; overall: 4.2 x 6.1 cm (1 5/8 x 2 3/8 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of Eugene Victor Thaw 1969.78.4 title: Inlay for a Mirror or Box: shih-shih title in original language: series: series in original language: creation date: c. 900-1000 creation date earliest: 900 creation date latest: 1000 current location: creditline: Gift of Eugene Victor Thaw copyright: --- culture: China, Tang dynasty (618-907) - Song dynasty (960-1279) technique: beaten silver with chased details department: Chinese Art collection: China - Tang Dynasty type: Metalwork find spot: catalogue raisonne: --- CREATORS --- measurements: Overall: 4.2 x 6.1 cm (1 5/8 x 2 3/8 in.) state of the work: edition of the work: support materials: inscriptions: --- CURRENT EXHIBITIONS --- LEGACY EXHIBITIONS --- PROVENANCE --- fun fact: digital description: wall description: The p'ing-t'o technique of inlaying gold and silver foil on lacquer produced luxurious articles of elegance and fragility. These stray silver inlays were originally mounted on a mirror back or a cosmetic box whose lacquered surface has disintegrated. They combine auspicious symbols of Indian and Chinese origin--human-headed birds whose melodies filled the Buddhist paradise, and bird-riding deities who inhabited the skies of Taoist mythology. Like these imaginary beings, the lions were probably paired in a radial design; at least one has been lost. --- RELATED WORKS --- CITATIONS --- IMAGES web: https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/1969.78.4/1969.78.4_web.jpg print: https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/1969.78.4/1969.78.4_print.jpg full: https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/1969.78.4/1969.78.4_full.tif