Antique Japanese Bronze Tekagami Hand Mirror, Taisho era (1912-1926) | SKU: 26M-547-3

Antique Japanese Bronze Tekagami Hand Mirror, Taisho era (1912-1926) | SKU: 26M-547-3

A richly cast bronze tekagami hand mirror adorned with auspicious motifs -- a rare and beautifully preserved example of Taisho-era metalcraft.

A tekagami is a traditional Japanese hand mirror cast in metal, used for personal grooming and presented as ceremonial gifts marking weddings, births, and other auspicious occasions. Unlike Western mirrors of the same period, the tekagami derives its reflective surface from the highly polished face of a solid bronze disc -- the reverse side serving as a canvas for decorative relief work. This example, dating to the Taisho era (1912-1926), showcases fine cast relief imagery across its decorated back: a circular medallion enclosing an architectural scene, a rectangular panel depicting cranes in flight over water, a lower roundel with a lush landscape of pine and flowering trees, and bold calligraphic characters rendered in raised relief. A verdigris-tinged rectangular tang handle extends from the disc, bearing the green patina that naturally develops on aged bronze -- a hallmark of authentic Japanese antique metalwork. The overall casting quality and layered iconography speak to the refined craftsmanship of Taisho-period artisans, who blended classical Meiji-era formality with a growing appreciation for decorative elegance.

In today's home, this antique tekagami hand mirror makes a compelling decorative accent that transcends its original function. Displayed flat on a vanity tray or shelf, it serves as a striking conversation piece in a bedroom or dressing room styled around a wabi-sabi aesthetic or Japandi-inspired minimalism. Mounted upright against a wall or propped on a picture stand, the intricately relief-cast reverse becomes a sculptural art object -- ideal for a living room gallery wall or home office display. Its compact, handheld scale also makes it an exceptional gift for collectors of Japanese antiques, a thoughtful housewarming gift, or a meaningful present for Japanophiles who appreciate authentic antique Japanese craft with genuine age and character.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1912-1926 (Taisho)
• Material: Cast bronze with natural verdigris patina
• Use: Personal grooming mirror; ceremonial and auspicious gift object
• Modern Use: Decorative shelf or vanity display; sculptural wall accent; collector's display piece
• Features: Circular bronze disc with polished reflective obverse; decorated reverse with multiple cast relief panels including an architectural roundel, a crane-and-water rectangular scene, a landscape roundel with pine and flowering trees, and raised calligraphic characters; rectangular tang handle with aged verdigris patina
• Dimensions: 7"W x 10 1/2"H
• Condition: Excellent

A beautifully preserved example of Japanese antique metalcraft -- this Taisho-era tekagami brings centuries of tradition and refined artistry to any modern living space or collector's display.

We use professional studio lighting to highlight the natural character of the wood. As a result, the tone may appear slightly warmer than under natural daylight.

All antique items are sold as-is. Each piece may exhibit signs of age, including scratches, wear, or minor imperfections. These are not considered defects but natural evidence of the item’s authenticity and age.