QING DYNASTY (1644-1911)

Details

AN UNUSUAL YIXING INSCRIBED 'LION AND GRAPEVINE' MIRROR-FORM INK STONE
QING DYNASTY (1644-1911)
The pottery mirror is moulded with a central pierced knop surrounded by a frieze of lions alternating with bunches of grapes, surrounded by an outer border decorated with a band of beasts, long-tailed birds and scrolling grapes on vines within a double-band of sawtooth. The outer edge of the mirror has an incised inscription. The surface is embellished with faux malachite and russet encrustations.
5 1/8 in. (13.2 cm.) diam.

Provenance

Distinguished Asian Collection.

Special notice

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Lot Essay

The form and decoration of this mirror takes its inspiration from Tang dynasty silvered bronze 'lion and grapevine' mirrors. Lion designs were first introduced into China with the introduction of Buddhism, and became a popular motif on bronze mirrors in the Tang period, very often combined with grape designs.
The inscription contains lines from the poem Mu Chun Ji Shi by Ye Cai of the Song period, which describes a scene in which a scholar is studying the Book of Changes in springtime, as birds pass the scholar's desk and flowers fall through the window and into the ink well.

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