Mirror Depicting the Hero Ci Fei Maker: Unknown

12th–13th century

Asian Art

On view, 2nd floor, Asian Art

The figure with an upheld sword at the prow of the boat represents Ci Fei, a Han-dynasty hero who leaped from the deck of a ship to fight a dragon and save his fellow passengers. Depictions of this tale—based on the Huainanzi, a collection of essays from the second century B.C.E.—appear in paintings from as early as the Tang dynasty, and the theme recurred in the visual arts until the twelfth century, particularly in northern China. The large, four-character inscription at the top of the mirror reads, "Great and resplendent is the heaven," a possible allusion to the grace that was inherent in Ci Fei’s sacrifice.

Medium

Bronze

Dimensions

6 5/8 in. (16.83 cm)

Credit Line

Hobart and Edward Small Moore Memorial Collection, Gift of Mrs. William H. Moore

Accession Number

1952.52.26

Geography

China

Culture

Chinese

Period

Northern Song dynasty (960–1127) or Jin dynasty (1115–1234)

Classification

Tools and Equipment

Disclaimer

Note: This electronic record was created from historic documentation that does not necessarily reflect the Yale University Art Gallery’s complete or current knowledge about the object. Review and updating of records is ongoing.

Provenance
Ton-ying and Company, New York, 1926; Mrs. William H. Moore (1858–1955), New York; Yale University Art Gallery, New Haven, Conn.
Bibliography
  • George J. Lee, Selected Far Eastern Art in the Yale University Art Gallery (New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Press, 1970), 122–123, no. 239, ill
Object copyright
No Copyright - United States
Additional information

Inscriptions

4 large seal type character may be rendered, "All powerful ruler Tse T'ien", presumably referring to Empress Wu of T'ang

Technical metadata and APIs

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