Lot 1970

Description

China, uncertain period probably Chou dynasty - Tang dynasty, circular mirror money series, uniface with detailed ornamental circular projection with a scroll lattice work on base in copper, odd shaped medium of exchange, (c.1000-500 B.C.), diameter 204mm, weight (1100 g), (Coole -, Not in Sch. or TFP). With green aged patina, of fine style, very fine and very rare.

Bronze mirrors have a long history in Chinese culture, dating to at least the 11th century B.C. Many mirrors were placed with their owners in ancient tombs. Some even have been passed down from generation to generation for many years in the same family.

Mirrors were more uniform and typically round in Han Dynasty (206 BC - 220 AD) while greater variety is observed in the Song and Yuan dynasties (10th -14th century) when different forms, such as oblong and octagonal appeared. Some mirrors have a handle or eyelets for hanging as in this example. In the last few centuries, during the reign of the Qing dynasty (1616-1911), bronze mirrors were gradually replaced by glass mirrors.