 | The Art and Orchid Gallery |
|
Home |
|
Antique Bronze Ekagami (Japanese Mirror with Handle) browse these categories for related items... All Items: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese: Metalwork: Pre 1900: item # 1113101 Please refer to our stock # 302AOG when inquiring.
The Art and Orchid Gallery 7896 SE Peach Way Jupiter, Florida 561-575-6868 Guest Book $179 |
|
|
| This antique bronze cast Japanese mirror with longevity motifs was probably a wedding gift made during the Edo Period (1615-1867) when such mirrors were in great demand. In Shintoism, the sun goddess, Amaterasu, commanded her grandson to descend to the land below to become its first ruler. She entrusted him with 3 objects: a mirror, a sword and a jewel. These are the Three Sacred Treasures that constitute the Imperial Regalia of Japan. After the Meiji Restoration (1868) these bronze mirrors were replaced by glass mirrors. The Art and Orchid Gallery's antique ekagami exhibits 3 symbols that represent longevity. At the top and bottom of the circular design is a pine tree. The most prominent motif is 2 cranes which appear to be feeding a tortoise. The tortoise has a hole through the shell through which a cord could be threaded to hold a mirror on a belt. A subtle beauty of this mirror is the rich brown patina of the metal which was highly prized by the Japanese. The handle of the mirror has a casting flaw. Often the handle of an ekagami would be covered with bamboo strips to cover imperfections. The tortoise is one of the 4 great mythical animals. Its shape symbolizes the universe: the upper shell representing the heavens; the lower shell, the Earth, thence, yin and yang. Yin is ascribed to the female being and yang to the male being. When the crane and the pine tree are in combination, it is a rebus: "song he tong chun". This is a wish for a bride and groom to have a long life together into old age. Hence, the crane and pine are frequently the subject decoration of marriage gifts. More history and references on our website. Size: ~ 7" long x ~3" mirror diameter; Weight: ~ 237 grams | ||
|