A VERY RARE SMALL PARCEL-GILT BRONZE SQUARE MIRROR

SUI DYNASTY (581-618)

Details

A VERY RARE SMALL PARCEL-GILT BRONZE SQUARE MIRROR
SUI DYNASTY (581-618)
Heavily cast, the central knob with concave center set within a square with foliate spandrels, the main field cast in high relief with the Animals of the Four Directions - the Blue Dragon, the Red Bird, White Tiger, and the Dark Warrior - separated by circular cells with beaded borders which are repeated alternating with lozenge and rectangular-shaped cells in the outer border, with traces of gilding
3¾ in. (9.5 cm.) square, ¼ in. (.5 cm.), thick, box
452g

Provenance

Robert H. Ellsworth Collection, New York, acquired in Hong Kong, 1990.

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Lot Essay

It is likely that the top of the central knob and the circular, lozenge and rectangular-shaped cells were originally inlaid, which, combined with the gilding that would have covered the back of the mirror, would have given the mirror a very rich appearance.

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