Tang Dynasty Bronze Mirror With Auspicious Beasts, Phoenixes & Inscriptions,Tang Dynasty

拍品描述

Measurements:Diameter 21 cm / 8.27 inches, total weight 1980 grams, Tang Dynasty, Category: Ancient Bronze Mirror, Primary trading market: CaliforniaCondition & Provenance:The mirror is cast from premium bronze alloy. The reflective surface retains original silvery mirror luster. The high-relief patterns of mythical beasts, phoenixes, clouds and pearls on the back central field retain sharp, three-dimensional outlines with intact facial features, manes and feather details, no chipped carving edges or heavy abrasion. The outer border band is decorated with inscribed characters and winding animal motifs, all characters remain legible without thick corrosion covering the artwork. The central knob is fully intact with only thin natural turquoise patina at its core, no perforations, cracks or modern restoration. Natural layered peacock-green ancient patina naturally forms along the rim, firmly bonded to the bronze base without artificial chemical rust treatment. The reverse reflective side is covered with natural red and green mineral encrustation plus faint fine scratches from long burial, no penetrating rust pits or structural splits. This mirror was excavated from a Tang dynasty tomb in central China. It entered a well-established domestic antique gallery in the 1990s, then was purchased by a Los Angeles antique dealer in 2005 before entering the collection of a dedicated ancient bronze private collector based in San Francisco, California, USA. Stored in climate-controlled storage for decades, the mirror retains its original burial patina, with complete excavation and collection transfer records fully documented.Object Description:This large bronze mirror carved with high-relief auspicious beasts and phoenixes is a top-tier representative bronze artifact from China’s prosperous Tang Dynasty, embodying the pinnacle of Tang bronze casting craftsmanship. The round mirror features a wide raised rim and a domed central suspension knob. The reverse side adopts a multi-layer layout: the inner field is decorated with six uniquely posed mythical beasts paired with phoenixes, flowing cloud patterns and celestial pearls. The composition is full and dynamic, with layered high relief rendering lifelike musculature and plumage that perfectly capture the bold, grand aesthetic of Tang imperial art. The outer encircling band combines square seal inscriptions and winding animal scrolls, merging decorative art with ritual blessing inscriptions. Tang bronze mirrors rank among the finest bronze relics of medieval China. Large intact specimens with crisp high relief, untouched original silver luster and natural burial patina are extremely rare today. This artifact carries immense archaeological, fine art and bronze collecting value, consistently a star lot within bronze sessions at California Asian art auctions.

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