Chinese Bronze TLV Mirror, Han Dynasty
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Item Details
- Diameter:
7 1/8" Inches
This exquisite and rare bronze mirror has a plain domed suspension loop in the centre surrounded by four heart-shaped leaves within a square. The main decorative frieze consists of a TLV design with divine beasts and other creatures, including a feathered immortal amid clouds, all enclosed by a hatched border. The rim is decorated with a recessed band of a saw tooth pattern. The bronze has a silvery patina and areas of malachite encrustation. TLV mirrors with a saw tooth pattern on the rim, such as this example, are indicative of an early date.
Bronze mirrors were used daily in China beginning in the 6th century BC. Before their popularity people would look in basins filled with water to see their reflection. Bronze mirrors, such as this one, have one shiny reflective side and another decorative side.
The Han dynasty (206BC-220AD) is a key period for the development of the bronze mirror techniques. Bronze mirrors developed into a significant product of the metal craft during this period, and were expertly fabricated with a variety of patterns. The central government of the Han Dynasty designated particular officials to administrate the production of bronze mirrors. This production made up a large proportion of the total bronze production in the Han Dynasty. The mirrors of the Han Dynasty have the largest variety of pattern and style of all of the important time periods for bronze mirror production. These mirrors tend to be thinner and smoother with a knob at the center of the decorative side and include a variety of elegant designs.
A mirror such as this one is called a TLV mirror because symbols resembling the letters T, L, and V are engraved into it. The first mirrors with TLV symbols appeared during the 2nd century BCE, with some scholars believing that they were related to astrological and cosmological interests. The dragon iconography, as it is seen here, was an important symbol of these early TLV mirrors.
The way that this mirror is designed forms an illustration of the Chinese idea of the five directions - North, South, East, West, and Center. The central square represents China as the "Middle Kingdom." The area in between the central square and the circle represents the "Four Seas." During the Han Dynasty the "Four Seas" represented territories outside of China, and did not literally refer to water.
A rare and exceptional acquisition, this extraordinary bronze mirror has the ability to look true to its archaic origins and yet at the same time could rival any contemporary design, making it a fascinating object of vertu. A mirror with similar decoration is in the collection of the Palace Museum, Beijing.
Circa, 25-220 ADDiameter: 7 1/8"
Bronze mirrors were used daily in China beginning in the 6th century BC. Before their popularity people would look in basins filled with water to see their reflection. Bronze mirrors, such as this one, have one shiny reflective side and another decorative side.
The Han dynasty (206BC-220AD) is a key period for the development of the bronze mirror techniques. Bronze mirrors developed into a significant product of the metal craft during this period, and were expertly fabricated with a variety of patterns. The central government of the Han Dynasty designated particular officials to administrate the production of bronze mirrors. This production made up a large proportion of the total bronze production in the Han Dynasty. The mirrors of the Han Dynasty have the largest variety of pattern and style of all of the important time periods for bronze mirror production. These mirrors tend to be thinner and smoother with a knob at the center of the decorative side and include a variety of elegant designs.
A mirror such as this one is called a TLV mirror because symbols resembling the letters T, L, and V are engraved into it. The first mirrors with TLV symbols appeared during the 2nd century BCE, with some scholars believing that they were related to astrological and cosmological interests. The dragon iconography, as it is seen here, was an important symbol of these early TLV mirrors.
The way that this mirror is designed forms an illustration of the Chinese idea of the five directions - North, South, East, West, and Center. The central square represents China as the "Middle Kingdom." The area in between the central square and the circle represents the "Four Seas." During the Han Dynasty the "Four Seas" represented territories outside of China, and did not literally refer to water.
A rare and exceptional acquisition, this extraordinary bronze mirror has the ability to look true to its archaic origins and yet at the same time could rival any contemporary design, making it a fascinating object of vertu. A mirror with similar decoration is in the collection of the Palace Museum, Beijing.
Circa, 25-220 ADDiameter: 7 1/8"
