Octagonal Plain Mirror

This mirror is octagonal in shape, with a knob cast in the centre, the top of which is cast with a stylized Shou (longevity) character seal mark. The entire surface is plain and undecorated, without a defined rim. Plain mirrors were an important category among Ming dynasty copper mirrors, generally divided into two types: those with no decoration on the back except the knob, and those with one or two raised bands dividing the back into inner and outer zones.

Archaeological finds show that plain mirrors were buried not only with ordinary officials but also in imperial tombs; for example, one such mirror was unearthed from the coffin of the Wanli Emperor in the Dingling mausoleum. The popularity of plain mirrors in the Ming dynasty reflects a simplification of casting techniques.