East Asia, China, Tang Dynasty, ca. 618 to 907 CE. A large silvered bronze mirror with eight lobes and a raised handle. One side is highly polished and reflective, while the other is decorated with a dramatic molded motif of repeated interlocking phoenixes, vines, and grape clusters. In legend, the phoenix is the most beautiful of all birds, called the feng huang, and the etymology of the name is derived from "emperor". The phoenix will only appear in times of prosperity and peace, second only in the supernatural creatures of the Chinese pantheon to the dragon. The presence of the phoenix on this mirror may indicate that it was made to be given to a bride and later hung on the marriage bed, as the phoenix was a good omen for marriages. Size: 8.45" W (21.5 cm)
Mirrors in ancient China served both practical and spiritual purposes. Bronze mirrors were also luxury goods that would have been expensive to produce and therefore to buy. During the Tang Dynasty, we see the first private workshops beginning, allowing the rising merchant class to purchase mirrors in addition to nobles. When placed in a tomb upon the chest of the deceased, as they often were, they were meant to protect the dead from evil spirits, who were frightened of being seen in reflection. In a similarly symbolic move, women carried "marriage mirrors" on their laps during their wedding procession; these were later hung over the marriage bed to repel evil spirits.
Provenance: private Ventura County, California, USA collection
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#148103
Condition
Rich patina on surface, mottled turquoise and dark grey. Polished surface is still in nice condition. Motifs are clear.