Tang Dynasty Lobed Bronze Mirror and Yuan Dynasty Xiniu Mirror Stand

Tang Dynasty (618BC-906AD)
Yuan Dynasty (AD 1270-1368)
Bronze
China
H: 12.2 cm. W: 12.2 cm.
H: 10.2 cm. W: 15 cm.

This intricate bronze mirror stand is molded into the shape of a Xiniu, a Chinese mythical horned beast. It is cast naturalistically with fierce protruding eyes, its head turned graciously backwards and front legs neatly bent in. The Xiniu is encapsulated in swirling flames which stretch to the very top of the stand where the mirror would be placed.

This bronze mirror is finely cast with a pattern of swirling flowers and a pair of birds in flight which is encircled in a raised filagree border. This mirror itself is cast in the shape of a water chestnut blossom, adding to the sophistication of the flower motif design. The back of the mirror is left bare.

Chinese bronze mirrors at this time were often associated with elegance, satisfactory marriage and love as denoted by the famous phrase ‘pojing chongyuan’ (a broken mirror joined together), connoting the coming together of two lovers.

Similar Example: in Masterpieces of Chinese Bronze Mirrors in the National Palace Museum, 1971, item 37.