A Chinese tortoise shell mirror

Early 19th century

Sold with original fitting box.

H: 10 1/2, W: 5 1/4, D: 3/8 in.

H: 26.67, W: 13.34, D: 0.95 cm. All measurements are approximate.

Provenance: Private collection, southern California.

Condition: Damage and possible repair to handle, floral design to verso is loose.

Notes: Tortoise shell is classified as a type of organic gemstone. It is dubbed as "ocean gold" for its beauty. Tortoise shell jewelries are exquisite and elegant, with implications of happiness, health and longevity. Tortoise shell craftsmanship has a history of at least 2,200 years. Because tortoise shells are prone to decay, the current surviving tortoise wares are mostly passed down from Ming and Qing dynasties. This mirror is carved completely from tortoise shell and is ornamented with auspicious decorations- the upper and lower outer frame are decorated carvings of bats; carved dragons rests on the left and right of the mirror; the back of the mirror is inlaid with carvings of ruyi flowers on a geometric background; the handle is decorated with carvings of lotus petals, with a carved ruyi at the top. Due to its rarity, tortoise shell has always been a symbol of the royalty and the imperial court. Judging by its excellent, orthodox craftsmanship, and generous usage of tortoise shell, this mirror should be a product of the Imperial Workshop. Most existing tortoise shell mirrors are damaged due to age, this mirror however is great condition. Comes with an original brocade box, this mirror has a great collection value. For a similar item, see the the Palace Museum, No. 00180138, as seen in figure 1.; No. 00180152, as seen in figure 2.See Christie's, London, March 2012, Lot 57.

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十九世紀早 玳瑁鏡子（附原配錦盒）

玳瑁，有時也稱龜甲，被歸類為有機寶石。玳瑁飾品高貴典雅，有祥瑞幸福、健康長壽的象征，享有」海金」之稱。玳瑁工藝在中國至少有2200多年歷史。由於玳瑁器易蛀，因此目前傳世的玳瑁文物基本是由明、清二代流傳下來，故宮博物院中也收藏有一些玳瑁製作的工藝品。本件作品通體由玳瑁雕製而成。外框上下部雕有蝙蝠，鏡子左右雕有螭龍，鏡子背面為錦地上鑲嵌了象牙加彩的如意花朵，鏡把處雕有蓮瓣紋，手柄頂部為如意紋，寓意洪福齊天，吉祥如意。玳瑁因材料珍稀，歷來是宮廷貴族的象征。此把鏡傳承了古代傳統工藝和紋飾，整器為純玳瑁製作，雕工精湛，線條流暢，工藝難度大，應是出自清宮養心殿造辦處。大多把鏡經歷時代久遠，都略有損缺，而此件品相完整，現存世同類作品極少，並有原配錦盒，集收藏與實用於一體，非常難得。

參閱故宮博物院館藏，編號故00180138，見圖1；編號故00180152，見圖2。佳士得拍賣2012年03月倫敦拍賣，編號057。