A COPPER ALLOY MIRROR OF CUNDIWITH A GILT COPPER ALLOY AMULET CASE


MING DYNASTYHimalayan Art Resources item nos.61696 & 61698 Mirror: 9 cm (3 3/4 in.) diameter;Case: 11.5 cm (4 1/2 in.) diameter
|明朝 準提菩薩銅鏡配銅鎏金盒Written in Lantsa script around the front of this mirror is the Cundi dharani, believed to be a powerful mantra that when recited purifies karma, attracts resources, grants protection, and promotes an auspicious rebirth. Cundi, "The Goddess of the Seventy Million Buddhas", is depicted on the back with multiple arms that convey her cosmic reach. This esoteric practice is widespread throughout East Asia. A practitioner would recite the Cundi mantra in front of the mirror, while holding his or her hands in the Cundi mudra. During the recitation the mirror is often placed on a flat surface to form a "mirror shrine", and when finished it should needs to be contained. An almost identical example is in the collection of the Qingdao Museum (see qingdaomuseum.com/study/detail/77). Also compare to the bronze mirror sold at Christie's, New York, 31 March 2005, lot 149.Provenance Acquired from Herbert Stone, 1987