Mirror with a Pair of Phoenixes

A round bronze mirror with a raised central knob surrounded by a beaded ring and a lotus-like petal pattern. Two phoenixes with long, feathered tails curl through scrolling cloud forms, one at upper right and one at lower right, their wings rendered in layered relief.

Look closer: A small beaded dotted ring frames the central knob, and the surface patina shows lighter green flecks along the rim.

Artist

Unknown

Date

1100s

Medium

bronze

Source

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Size

3400 × 2490 px

Credit (appreciated, not required for public-domain works): The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of Drs. Thomas and Martha Carter in Honor of Sherman E. Lee