Description:

East Asia, China, Sui to Tang dynasties, ca. early 7th century CE. A heavy, large bronze mirror, cast with an amazing relief design of animals and Chinese characters. A rounded knob in the center forms a handle, which is pierced through so that a cord could be attached to it. The animals around it relate to the zodiac; they chase each other around the square motif surrounding the knob. Then there is a ring of Chinese characters. Around that ring is a thin band of waves that forms the border of the mirror. The other side is a reflective surface, heavy polished and smoothed flat. The zodiac dates back at least to the 5th century BCE and by the Han Dynasty had become a popular way of making predictions for individuals' future. A mirror this fine would have belonged to the upper ranks of Han Chinese society. Size: 9.1" W (23.1 cm)

Provenance: private Ventura County, California, USA collection, collected prior to 2000; ex-Tim Gurley Gallery, Pasadena, California, USA

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#148104

  • Condition: Repaired from approximately ten pieces, with some tiny losses along the repair lines. Repairs are generally well done and do not obscure most of the motifs. Encrusted deposits and deep green patina on surface.

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December 5, 2019 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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