Mirror with Animals Symbolizing the Four Cardinal Directions Maker: Unknown

2nd–1st century B.C.E.

Asian Art

On view, 2nd floor, Asian Art

The use of four animals to represent the four cardinal directions had become an important motif in Chinese art by the beginning of the Han dynasty. The dragon symbolizes the east; the phoenix—or vermilion bird—the south; the tiger, the west; and the turtle, the north.

Medium

High-tin bronze

Dimensions

5 in. (12.7 cm)

Credit Line

Purchased with a gift from the B. D. G. Leviton Foundation

Accession Number

1995.17.1

Geography

China

Culture

Chinese

Period

Western Han dynasty (206 B.C.E.–9 C.E.)

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
J.J. Lally, New York; purchased in 1995 by the Yale University Art Gallery, New Haven, Conn.
Object copyright
No Copyright - United States
Additional information

Object/Work type

mirrors

Technical metadata and APIs

IIIF

Open in Mirador

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Linked Art

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