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UnknownQing Dynasty Chinese painted mirror / glass painting “Traditional Scene”1870
1870
$2,003.73
£1,492.04
€1,690
CA$2,753.23
A$3,081.39
CHF 1,608.25
MX$37,577.03
NOK 20,583.37
SEK 19,484.80
DKK 12,864.49
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About the Item
One of a kind Chinese painted mirror, or mirror with reverse painting, originally from the Qing Dynasty, around the end of the 19th century. It depicts various traditional scenes following a vertical layout and narrative. Different scenes with symbolic and auspicious elements frame royal figures and their servants, all dressed in colorful traditional clothing, with a common theme: family, home, and happiness. Human figures appear in natural settings, as well as vegetation, mountains, pagodas, and so on.
In this type of painting, human figures are usually outlined with fine black lines. These outlines are then filled with various colors and applied to different areas to form the details. The predominant colors in this type of painting are cinnabar, orpiment, lead white, azurite, malachite, and lead red—all vibrant hues. After applying the colors, a thin layer of white paint is applied to form the background for the reverse of the painting (non-Chinese reverse glass paintings use black to intensify the colors).
Above, we find pagodas, typical buildings of Asian countries. Most of these buildings were built for religious purposes, as part of Buddhism and Taoism. Immediately after, an ox appears, an animal that symbolizes strength, prosperity, or a connection with nature. Next to the ox, we find flying birds, which may represent freedom, and a couple of women with two children, wearing traditional costumes. On the lower level, there are two other figures: a man dressed in traditional costume and a reclining Buddha; in this case, a symbol of happiness, abundance, and prosperity.
Finally, there are some sages. The one appearing on the deer is likely a Luohan, an enlightened being in Buddhism. The union between the deer and the sage symbolizes the search for immortality and harmony with nature, as the deer is a symbol of longevity, good fortune, and prosperity. A notable element is that the man on the left's costume displays symbols of yin and yang. The man on the right appears mounted on a kind of palanquin or chariot.
Also notable is the presence of clouds surrounding almost all the figures, creating a divine or celestial setting. The clouds create an ethereal and dreamlike background, characteristic of depictions of celestial landscapes in traditional Asian art. The work is framed in a wooden frame with a bronze hanger that follows the oriental aesthetic.
Support Technique: Painted Mirror / Glass Painting
Title: "Traditional Scene"
Period: Qing Dynasty, 19th Century
Country of Origin: China
Good condition commensurate with age and use
Overall Dimensions: 105 x 40 x 3 cm
Unframed Dimensions: 99 x 34 cm
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