Lot 121
East Asia, China, Han Dynasty, ca. 206 BCE to 220 CE. A superb bronze mirror, expertly cast and richly ornamented in high relief, showcasing the refined artistry and symbolic complexity of Han-period metalwork. The polished face would have served as a reflective surface, while the verso is intricately decorated with a raised central knob - pierced to allow suspension by a cord - surrounded by four stylized animals alternating with rounded bosses. Encircling this central composition is a ring of Chinese characters, likely bearing auspicious wishes or cosmological references, a hallmark of Han mirror inscriptions. Beyond this, three concentric bands of striated and zigzag motifs complete the design, reflecting the dynasty's fascination with order, balance, and celestial harmony. More than a utilitarian object, this mirror would have conveyed the status and intellectual sophistication of its owner, possibly serving in both daily grooming and ritual contexts. Size: 4.7" Diameter (11.9 cm)
Bronze mirrors have a long history in China - the oldest known comes from a tomb dated to ca. 2100 to 1600 BCE. By the Han Dynasty, mirrors like this one were hugely popular, and were being produced in workshops at various regional centers in order to keep up with the demand from members of the royal court, court officials, and regional government workers. Mirrors like this one were expensive, and only owned by elites in the society. The cast inscription around the body of this one dates it to ca. 200 BCE and the Western Han period; it is meant to bring good fortune to the living and, when placed in a grave, to keep evil spirits away from the dead. A mirror like this one would have been used both for utilitarian purposes - starting fires and seeing one's reflection - and for spiritual - to see invisible spirits. The presence of the phoenix in the animal design may mean that this was a mirror given to a bride and later hung on the marriage bed, as the phoenix was a good omen for marriages.
Provenance: ex-T.F. Holy Lands collection, formed since the 1960s; ex-London art market, 1980s
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#193864
- Condition: Intact and excellent with liberal remaining detail and lovely patina in areas.
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| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $20,000 |