Mirror with TLV Design (Translation)
“尚方作鏡”銅鏡 西漢 (Primary Title)
Mirror (Former Title)
Unknown (Artist)
Similar to the marks on the Liubo game board, the geometric shapes of the letters T, L, and V, on the backs of Han-dynasty mirrors, as cast in this example, have evoked some debate among scholars. Some believe the design is simply decorative or metaphoric, and others think it resembled a portable Liubo game board. One such mirror dating to the early 1st century has provided a clue with its inscription, which reads “Cast with a Liubo board pattern to dispel misfortune,” suggesting that the Liubo pattern on mirrors may have served a ritual purpose.
Han dynasty (206 BC-220 AD)
尚方作镜成大巧，上有仙人不知老。
Arthur and Margaret Glasgow Fund
"Symbols of Faith," VMFA Artmobile, December 1976 - January 1979
Image released via Creative Commons CC-BY-NC
Some object records are not complete and do not reflect VMFA's full and current knowledge. VMFA makes routine updates as records are reviewed and enhanced.
