Mirror Stand
China
(Qing dynasty (1644-1911))
Mirror Stand
DateQing dynasty, late 17th-18th century
Mediumwood, metal
Dimensionsobject (overall): 27 × 21 × 12 1/4 in. (68.6 × 53.3 × 31.1 cm)
object (case): 7 × 19 3/4 × 11 in. (17.8 × 50.2 × 27.9 cm)
5 5/8 × 4 1/2 × 1/2 in. (14.3 × 11.4 × 1.3 cm)
8 1/8 × 7 1/4 × 3/4 in. (20.6 × 18.4 × 1.9 cm)
12 5/8 × 7 1/2 × 3/4 in. (32.1 × 19.1 × 1.9 cm)
16 3/4 × 12 1/2 × 3/4 in. (42.5 × 31.8 × 1.9 cm)
object (finial (i)): 3 1/4 × 2 1/2 × 1/2 in. (8.3 × 6.4 × 1.3 cm)
ClassificationFURNITURE
Credit LineSBMA, Gift of Clay Tedeschi in memory of Robert H. Ellsworth
Object number2014.76a-i
Subject(s)
- flowers
- bird
- mythology
Collection
- Asian
Sub-Collection(s)
- furniture
- Chinese
On View
On viewLabel TextAt one time, this elaborately carved wooden stand held a bronze mirror and would have most likely been found in the inner chamber of a married woman in a wealthy Qing-dynasty household. The stand is decorated with auspicious imagery. The carved birds interlaced amid leaves and flowers, the dragon finials, and the flaming jewel are symbols of procreation, conveying a wish for the arrival of a baby boy. Depicted at the lower center reticulated panel is a qilin, a mythical beast whose appearance was thought to presage the arrival of a sage or illustrious ruler.
