Antique Reversed Painted Mirror Painting, Longevity God. (Please pardon the reflection on the mirror). From the late Qing period.

This true antique reversed-painted mirror painting uses organic color pigments made of precious minerals and vegetation, differing from the modern and reproduced ones that are painted with acylic or modern paints and are usually painted quite elaborately that the painting mostly covers the whole mirror. The old pieces like this one often have much simpler design against the rusted old mirror as time passed by. However, the old colors are still strikingly vivid. It almost offers an organic look to the work.

This colorful painting depicts Shou-Lao (Longevity God) with a long and bold forehead, holding a can carved with dragon head, with a rolled up scroll tied to the can, who gave the young boy a longevity peach, while a longevity deer peaking out from the old man's back. The old man also carries a wine gourd. There is a small butterfly above the boy, witnessing the gesture or movement. All the symbols in this painting are tied to Daoism and are used often separately or together with many art pieces associated with Daoism. So, this is a very special and rare piece.

Dimensions: 28 1/2" L x 20 1/2" W x 1" D

---