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:			

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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: 

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CREATORS

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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:

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CURRENT EXHIBITIONS

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LEGACY EXHIBITIONS

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PROVENANCE

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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.
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RELATED WORKS

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CITATIONS

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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