Three archaic bronze mirrors

The first cast with four shan ideographs representing the four sacred peaks, Warring States period, fitted box, 16.2cm (6 3/8in) diam.; the second with a large bronze 'star-motif', Western Han dynasty, fitted box, 19cm (7 1/2in) diam; and the third 'bosses and character' mirror, Han dynasty or later, box, 18.5cm (7 1/4in) diam. (6).

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Provenance: The Mengdiexuan Collection

Exhibited: Oriental Ceramic Society of Hong Kong & Urban Council of Hong Kong, Ancient Chinese and Ordos Bronzes, 12 October - 2 December 1990 (star-motif mirror)

Published and Illustrated: J.Rawson and E.Bunker, Ordos and Chinese bronze, p.244, no.164 (star-motif mirror)

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The shan (?) character motif is commonly associated with the Warring States period, with many similar examples of varying sizes. For a comparable example, see Bronze Articles for Daily Use: The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Hong Kong, 2006, p.22, no.19.

A similar bronze 'shan' mirror, Warring States period, was sold at Sotheby's New York, 17-18 September 2013, lot 23.