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.