Mirror decorated with Sanskrit inscriptions
Buddhism arrived in Korea in the fourth century, and by the sixth century, became the peninsula’s predominant belief system. It was the state religion during the Goryeo period, when the arts flourished under royal and temple patronage. Buddhist mantras commonly appeared on secular and popular objects. This mirror bears sixteen Sanskrit characters on the inner band and twenty on the outer, some of which comprise “Om Mani Padme Hum,” a mantra chanted to gain enlightenment.
Artwork Details
- 동제 범자무늬 원형 경 고려
- 銅製梵字文圓形鏡 高麗
- Title: Mirror decorated with Sanskrit inscriptions
- Period: Goryeo dynasty (918–1392)
- Culture: Korea
- Medium: Bronze
- Dimensions: Diam. 3 1/2 in. (8.9 cm)
- Classification: Mirrors
- Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1917
- Object Number: 17.175.21
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
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10th century
Accession Number: 25.219.4
13th century
Accession Number: 17.175.23
Accession Number: 17.175.25
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