Mirror back

Loaned From: Museum Rietberg

inscriptionscriptwriting

Bronze

25–1 BCE

China

Museum Rietberg

Details

Culture/Civilisation

Ancient China, Western Han Dynasty

Theme

Writing

Subtheme

India and China – Language and Society

Display Location

Coomaraswamy Hall

Findspot

China

Measurements

17.4 x 17.4 x 1.3 cm

Accession Number

2010.38

Description

Around 221 BCE China’s First Emperor, Qin Shi Huang Di, imposed a uniform script and coinage across his empire. Ancient Chinese script also adorned household objects. The mirror’s inscription hopes that the owner’s life will be long, happy and sun-lit.

Related Objects

banliang coin

Coin

Mirror