Mirror with Water-Moon Avalokitesvara

KOREA; Goryeo dynasty

This mirror is rectangular with an illustration on both its front and back. There is a hole at the top of the mirror from which it can be hung. Water-Moon Avalokitesvara is depicted seated with legs crossed and hands upon the knees atop waves in front of a cliff. The figure wears a headdress with a Buddha image and hanging decorations, and is backed by a nimbus and a mandorla. Beneath the Bodhisattva are the Seven Disasters as described in the “Universal Gateway Chapter” of the Lotus Sutra.
On the back of the mirror is the mighty Vaisravana, Heavenly King of the North, wearing a headdress, armor, and a stole. His right hand holds a pagoda, and in his left hand is a trident.