Eastern Han dynasty (25-220)
The mirror is of circular form set in the centre with a large domed suspension loop. The broad slightly raised rim is decorated with a band of stylized animals encircling a narrow sawtooth border. The central knop is surrounded by a circle enclosing nine nipples, all encircled by a wide band of animals and birds amongst scrolls and divided by seven further nipples. The decorated side of the mirror is of shiny silver colour with large areas of reddish-brown cuprite patination which also covers the main part of the specular side, both sides have small areas of malachite patination.
18,8 cm diameter
Provenance: An American private collection
Literature: A mirror of similar type is illustrated in Ancient Bronze Mirrors in the National Museum of History, Taipei, 1996, pp. 96-97
A comparable mirror, but with inscription, from the Robert H. Elsworth Collection was sold at Christie’s New York, 22 March, Lot 1425