East Asia, China, Tang to Northern Song Dynasty, ca. 618 to 1127 CE. A beautiful cast-bronze mirror with a scalloped edge and a dragon decorating the verso. The flat face is highly polished to form a reflective surface, and the shimmering silvery surface is still partially visible under the green patina. The other side has a central knob handle with a perforation for suspension. The scalloped rim is slightly raised and frames the dragon. The creature curls its sinuous body around the knob with its head nearly touching the lengthy tail. Such bronze mirrors were precious objects owned by the wealthy of society. Size: 3.5" Diameter (8.9 cm)
Provenance: private Los Angeles, California, USA collection, acquired 1980s to 2000s
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#167359
Condition
Intact and excellent. Chip and surface pitting to polished face, and areas of light green patina. Verso has a thick green patina and some surface pitting and chis. Minor softening of finer details, but dragon motif is clear and sharp.