A BRONZE CIRCULAR MIRROR WITH DEITIES AND ANIMALS

MID-LATE EASTERN HAN DYNASTY, LATE 2ND-EARLY 3RD CENTURY

Details

A BRONZE CIRCULAR MIRROR WITH DEITIES AND ANIMALS
MID-LATE EASTERN HAN DYNASTY, LATE 2ND-EARLY 3RD CENTURY
The large central knob encircled by a narrow 'egg and dart' border beyond which are four large beasts, bixie, alternating with deities and incorporating eight circular cells, all cast in high relief within a band of plain semi-circles alternating with squares divided into quadrants enclosing characters, below two narrow bands on the rim, the inner band cast in relief with racing dragons, a celestial chariot, and other figures and animals, while the outer band has a pattern of tight cloud whorls
5 5/8 in. (14.2 cm.) diam., 1/8 in. (.3 cm.) thick, box
486.9g

Provenance

A.W. Bahr (1877-1959).
Robert H. Ellsworth Collection, New York, acquired from Edna Bahr, Connecticut, late 1960s.

If you wish to view the condition report of this lot, please sign in to your account.

View condition report

Lot Essay

It is very possible that the eight circular cells were once inlaid with semi-precious or hard stones. A similar mirror of comparable size is illustrated in Ancient Bronze Mirrors from the Shanghai Museum, Shanghai, 2005, pp. 198-9, no. 62, where one can see that it had been gilded. Another similar mirror of comparable size but with a narrow band of different scroll on the rim, which is also gilded, from the Sze Yuan Tang Collection was sold in these rooms, 16 September 2010, lot 864. See, also, the similar mirror of the same size illustrated by T. Nakano et al., Bronze Mirrors from Ancient China: Donald H. Graham Jr. Collection, 1994, pp. 182-3, no. 62.

More from Luminous Perfection: Fine Chinese Mirrors from the Robert H. Ellsworth Collection

View All