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THBChinese Tang Dynasty Silvered Bronze Square Mirror
Lot 91a
About Seller
Artemis Gallery
686 S Taylor Ave, Ste 106
Louisville, CO 80027
United States
Selling antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art online since 1993, Artemis Gallery specializes in Classical Antiquities (Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Near Eastern), Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal / Oceanographic art. Our extensive inventory includes pottery, stone, metal, wood, glass and textil...Read more
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Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Estimate:
$1,000 - $2,000
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| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $2,500 |
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| $100,000 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 | $20,000 |
About Auction
Live
By Artemis Gallery
Aug 6, 2019
Set Reminder
2019-08-06 11:00:00
2019-08-06 11:00:00
America/New_York
Bidsquare
Bidsquare : VARIETY SALE | Antiquities & Ethnographic Art
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/variety-sale-antiquities-ethnographic-art-4326
Around the world & back in time - be amazed at the treasures you will find. Antiquities from Egypt, Greece, Italy and the Near East, Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal / Oceanic, Native American, Spanish Colonial, Russian Icons, Fine Art, much more! All categories, all price ranges... Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
Around the world & back in time - be amazed at the treasures you will find. Antiquities from Egypt, Greece, Italy and the Near East, Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal / Oceanic, Native American, Spanish Colonial, Russian Icons, Fine Art, much more! All categories, all price ranges... Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
View Full Catalog (387)
- Lot Description
East Asia, China, Tang Dynasty, ca. 618 to 907 CE. A beautiful square bronze mirror with extensive iconography delineated in low to high relief. In the central panel, we see five lions enjoying bunches of grapes. In the surrounding border, birds and ducks feast upon more grape clusters. The other side is highly polished and reflective, and the perforation behind the central lion was likely used to suspend or attach to garment. This design shows the influence of outside cultures on Tang China. The lions, described by Chinese sources as "auspicious animals", were brought to the country from the West; grapes, similarly, were brought from the West by Zhang Qian. Interestingly, many of these mirrors found their way to Japan and presumably many others travelled west along the Silk Road. The elaborate skill required to cast such a delicate design speaks to the wealth and technical prowess of China during the Tang Dynasty. Size: 4.7" L x 4.7" W (11.9 cm x 11.9 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.
A similar mirror sold at Christie's New York (Sale 16424 - 30 October 2018 - Lot 210) for $4,000 - https://www.christies.com/lotfinder/Lot/a-small-chinese-silver-backed-square-bronze-mirror-6166410-details.aspx
Provenance: private Ventura County, California, USA collection
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#148132Normal surface wear commensurate with age. Gorgeous green patina has developed in areas. Iconography is still quite vivid.Condition
- Shipping Info
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All shipping is handled in-house for your convenience. Your invoice from Artemis Gallery will include shipping calculation instructions. If in doubt, please inquire BEFORE bidding for estimated shipping costs for individual items.
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