Items Similar to Chinese Song Bronze Mirror with Twin Fish, c. 1200
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 6
Chinese Song Bronze Mirror with Twin Fish, c. 1200
$1,180
£899.35
€1,028.02
CA$1,660.19
A$1,818.68
CHF 957.28
MX$21,706.44
NOK 12,202.94
SEK 11,155.33
DKK 7,679.09
About the Item
Cloaked in a rich patina and verdigris oxidization, this Chinese bronze mirror has the simple beauty and undeniable texture of an ancient object. Though an exact date is unknown, the mirror's low relief decoration of two leaping fish suggests a late Song dynasty dating (960–1279). Like the jade bi disc, the circular form of early bronze mirrors were closely associated with the sun, the moon and the spiritual realm.
The back of this small mirror is cast in relief with twin carp swimming around the central ingot-shaped knob. Likely once detailed with fine scales and crashing waves, this motif of leaping fish is a common rebus for political success. Left flat and unadorned, the opposite side would have been highly polished and coated with mercury or silver for a bright, reflective surface.
_ _ _ _ _
Before the broadened popularity of polished metal mirrors, many could only view their reflection by filling a basin with still water. With advancements in metalworking during the Warring States period (475 BC - 221 BC), cast bronze mirrors emerged in ancient China as daily tools reserved for the aristocratic class.
Besides their functional purpose, early mirrors were closely associated with the sun and moon and therefore imbued with special cosmological and spiritual meaning. Objects of art made from valuable material, such mirrors were commonly bestowed as gifts or dowry offerings and passed down within families as cherished heirlooms.
Minor cracks to rim on one side.
Additional Dimensions:
Diameter of Mirror: 5"
Base: 3.5"W x 2"D
- Dimensions:Height: 7.5 in (19.05 cm)Width: 5 in (12.7 cm)Depth: 2 in (5.08 cm)
- Style:Primitive (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:Bronze,Cast
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:c. 1200
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Minor fading. Minor cracks to rim on one side.
- Seller Location:Chicago, IL
- Reference Number:Seller: YUN0004D1stDibs: LU820048009722
About the Seller
5.0
Platinum Seller
Premium sellers with a 4.7+ rating and 24-hour response times
Established in 1997
1stDibs seller since 2006
1,751 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 2 hours
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: Chicago, IL
- Return Policy
More From This Seller
View AllChinese Ming Bronze Mirror, c. 1450
Located in Chicago, IL
This petite Chinese bronze mirror has the simple beauty and undeniable texture of an ancient object. Though an exact date is unknown, the mirror's round form, double ring edge and un...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Chinese Ming Metalwork
Materials
Bronze
Petite Han Dynasty Bronze Mirror, c. 200 BC
Located in Chicago, IL
This petite Chinese bronze mirror has the simple beauty and undeniable texture of an ancient object. Though an exact date is unknown, the mirror's round form and relief decoration s...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Chinese Han Metalwork
Materials
Bronze
Petite Ming Bronze Mirror with Ingot Knob, c. 1400
Located in Chicago, IL
Cloaked in rich patina and verdigris oxidization, this petite Chinese bronze mirror has the simple beauty and undeniable texture of an ancient object. Though an exact date is unknown...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Chinese Ming Metalwork
Materials
Bronze
Petite Tang Bronze Mirror, c. 900 AD
Located in Chicago, IL
Cloaked in allover verdigris oxidization, this petite Chinese bronze mirror has the simple beauty and undeniable texture of an ancient object. Though an exact date is unknown, the m...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Chinese Tang Metalwork
Materials
Bronze
Petite Han Dynasty Bronze Mirror, c. 200 BC
Located in Chicago, IL
Cloaked in allover verdigris oxidization, this petite Chinese bronze mirror has the simple beauty and undeniable texture of an ancient object. Though an exact date is unknown, the mi...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Chinese Han Metalwork
Materials
Bronze
Petite Tang Bronze Mirror with I-Ching, c. 800 AD
Located in Chicago, IL
Cloaked in allover verdigris oxidization, this petite Chinese bronze mirror has the simple beauty and undeniable texture of an ancient object. Though an exact date is unknown, the m...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Chinese Tang Metalwork
Materials
Bronze
You May Also Like
Two Khmer Bronze Mirrors, 13th - 15th Century
Located in New York, NY
Two small bronze mirrors from Cambodia, circa 13th-15th Century.
In Southeast Asia, The Khmer culture existed between the 9th and 15 centuries, originating in Cambodia and extendin...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Cambodian Other Metalwork
Materials
Bronze
Edo period bronze mirror with a rare design depicting a tiger and plum blossoms
Located in Fukuoka, JP
A finely cast bronze mirror from the Edo period, featuring an exceptionally rare motif: a powerful tiger set against elegant plum blossoms. The contrasting imagery embodies strength ...
Category
Antique 18th Century Japanese Edo Metalwork
Materials
Silver, Bronze
Japanese Cast Bronze "Longevity" Mirror, Edo Period, 18th Century, Japan
Located in Austin, TX
A heavy and finely cast Japanese bronze mirror with longevity symbols, Edo Period, 18th century, Japan.
The small, round mirror with high walls...
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Japanese Edo Metalwork
Materials
Bronze
Roman Bronze Hand Mirror with Beautiful Patina, circa 1st Century
Located in Austin, TX
A simple and elegant Roman bronze hand mirror, late Republic Period, circa 1st century, Italy.
The bronze mirror of simple form. The round face with a pierced border design. The openwork handle...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Italian Classical Roman Antiquities
Materials
Bronze
Highly Decorated Ancient Hellenistic Bronze Mirror with Lid
Located in Sofia, BG
Highly decorated ancient Roman round bronze hand mirror in very good condition with lovely patina without a cover.
Possibly there was a held attached to it but now only the three sma...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier European Antiquities
Materials
Bronze
Tang Dynasty Silvery bronze lobed “Beast and Birds” Mirror
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Antique Chinese Silvery bronze lobed “Beast and Birds” Mirror, Tang Dynasty. The eight-foliated barbed form having a a center cast relief knop in a four legged Beast form surrounded ...
Category
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Chinese Tang Metalwork
Materials
Bronze
