Collected Rubbings of Bronze Mirrors with Inscriptions
Han
dynasty (206 b.c.e.�220 c.e.) through Sui dynasty (581�618),
variously dated and undated pieces
Album
of 28 leaves, ink rubbed on paper; each leaf: approx. 32.7 x 26.8 cm; each
sheet of rubbings: approx. 22.5 x 22.8 cm; dimensions of individual rubbings
vary
Date
of rubbings not given, late Qing dynasty (1644�1911), ca. second half of 19th
century
Inventory number: Shanta 207
Ancient
Chinese bronze mirrors are mostly circular, with only a few being square.� The reflective side is flat and highly
polished, while the decorated reverse side bears a niu (knob), through which a
fabric cord may be strung to aid in handling or hanging; only a very small
number were made with handles.
Early
Chinese mirrors attained an artistic apogee during later part of the Eastern
Zhou (770�256 b.c.e.) and early
part of the Han periods.� Advances in
bronze casting during the Han were accompanied by the large-scale manufacture
of mirrors with sophisticated decorative programs, most notably the
"TLV" pattern (so named for the marks shaped like the letters T, L,
and V
letters).
The
28 very fine rubbings mounted in this album were personally made by the late
Qing collector and epigrapher Chen Jieqi (1813�1884); later they came into the
possession of the scholar-statesman Liang Qichao (1873�1929).� The mostly Han-dynasty mirrors contain
auspicious inscriptions as well as geometric and cosmic designs on their
reverse sides, which can be very clearly seen and appreciated in the form of
rubbings.
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