Bronze. China, in the style of Han, possibly later
Of circular form, the rim broad and smooth, with conical center knob, encircled of a four-lobed motif, radial border, further encircled with four knobs and abstracted dragons formed as clouds; the mirror coated with a reflecting layer; patina, corrosion. é’銅雲é¾ç´‹å°é¡. 中國, 漢代風格, 約晚. 直徑 8.5 厘米.
DIAMETER 8,5 CM
From an old Chinese private collection in Austria
This Chinese mirror is from an old German collection that was acquired from the Berlin antiques trade during the interwar period.
What is a bronze mirror? The style and design of such mirrors is related to the respective era, however, it is based on a ground shape and even more on the traditional purpose. What was going to be reflected was dependent on the metal alloy and the polishing of the surface.
The art lower is interested only in the decorative side. Each era had its own ways of expression and preferences. In general, in ancient China mirrors served as apotropaic devices and as burial gifts since ghosts were most sensitive to the mirror reflections. However, beginning with the Tang era the significance of the bronze mirrors has decreased and more and more they became collectible pieces for lovers of antique art and the “literatiâ€.