Chinese Carved Lattice Mirror with Buddhist God, Calligraphy and Deer

Mirror in a dark frame, crowned with a row of carved scenes.

This carved lattice mirror with Buddhist deity, calligraphy and deer is from Shanxi Province, China, and dates to the 19th century. It is elmwood. In Chinese art the deer is often associated with long life and prosperity, partly because the word for deer sounds like words for good fortune. Rectangular dark frame with a main mirror plate flanked by two narrow mirror strips, and a top band of three openwork panels showing figures, calligraphic shapes and animals. The mirror is clear with some softness at the edges. It is 42.25 inches long, 2 deep and 44 high.

Reflection comes with a little theater overhead.