Bronze Ritual Mirror. Japan, Early Edo Period. 17th Century.

White bronze mirror cast in Japanese copper alloy with a high tin content (Hakudo), very hard and sounding clear when struck. Beautiful silver color with golden highlights. Decoration in very high relief representing symbols: The turtle living 10,000 years. Longevity. The 2 Cranes living 1000 years. Longevity, happiness and harmonious marital union. The 3 friends, the pine, the plum tree and the bamboo, constancy and virtue in the face of adversity. A Paulownia flower (Kiri). Imperial legitimacy ensuring peace and prosperity. The double circle certainly has a symbolism, which escaped us, as does the meeting of the 3 beaks which are not systematically found on other Turtle-Crane models. Signature of 5 characters, "Tenka ichi ise" (The best under the sky of Ise). This mark, Tenka Ichi, authorized by Nobunaga was affixed to the most prestigious objects from the end of the 16th century and especially during the Momoyama period around 1600, however over the years, some artists abused it which decided the Shogun Tsunayoshi Tokugawa to prohibit its use by an edict in 1682. The excellent quality of the decoration, the finely executed details, the depth of the reliefs, the mark, the fusion of the perfectly mastered alloy and the prestigious symbolism, complete and Imperial make it an exceptional Japanese mirror. It was not a utilitarian mirror because it was too heavy (700g), probably a gift for venerable weddings. Japan early Edo period, 17th century. Very good condition, a little worn. 119x18mm An identical model is housed at the Cleveland Museum of Art.