Provenance:
– Acquired from Mandala Fine Arts Hong Kong in 2001
来源
2001年购自香港曼陀罗艺术
The back of the mirror crisply cast in high relief, decorated with an elaborate design of lions and birds, against a background of grapes and grape leaves. The centre with a crouching lion knop, surrounded by lions, birds and mythical beast. The concave border cast with seated and flying birds and lions, surrounded by further grapes and vines. The mirror with a decorative, trifoliate border.
The design of mythical beasts and grapes is one of the classic designs seen on Tang dynasty mirrors.[1] Its emergence is associated with the introduction into China of Manichaeism, a religious belief practiced by Sogdian communities trading along the Silk Road, in the late 7th century. Mythical (sea) creatures and grapes played an important role in Manichean iconography. The growing popularity of Manichaeism in China during the mid-Tang dynasty meant these motifs gained prominence in the design of bronze mirrors.
Bronze mirrors of such large size dated to the Tang dynasty are unusual and rare. Typically, this type of mirror varies between 10 to 20 cm in diameter. Compare a similar example sold at Bonhams London, 17 May 2018, lot 58. Another example, sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 4 April 2017, lot 82.
An important bronze ‘mythical animals and grapes’ mirror (Tang dynasty, 7th century)
描述
青铜海兽葡萄大镜
唐 公元7世纪
Dimensions: 24cm diameter
尺寸：直径24厘米
Provenance:
– Acquired from Mandala Fine Arts Hong Kong in 2001
来源
2001年购自香港曼陀罗艺术
The back of the mirror crisply cast in high relief, decorated with an elaborate design of lions and birds, against a background of grapes and grape leaves. The centre with a crouching lion knop, surrounded by lions, birds and mythical beast. The concave border cast with seated and flying birds and lions, surrounded by further grapes and vines. The mirror with a decorative, trifoliate border.
镜背高浮雕纹理清晰，饰狮与禽鸟，四周葡萄及葡萄叶环绕。镜把位于正中，雕卧狮，四周环绕狮、禽鸟与瑞兽。沿边凹陷饰狮、飞鸟、葡萄、葡藤。镜边三叶纹。
The design of mythical beasts and grapes is one of the classic designs seen on Tang dynasty mirrors.[1] Its emergence is associated with the introduction into China of Manichaeism, a religious belief practiced by Sogdian communities trading along the Silk Road, in the late 7th century. Mythical (sea) creatures and grapes played an important role in Manichean iconography. The growing popularity of Manichaeism in China during the mid-Tang dynasty meant these motifs gained prominence in the design of bronze mirrors.
瑞兽葡萄图是唐代的典型图案。此图与公元7世纪晚期在丝绸之路经商并将摩尼教带入中国的粟特人相关。瑞(海)兽葡萄图在摩尼教图案之中享有重要的一席之地。唐朝中期摩尼教兴起，瑞兽葡萄图成为了重要的铜镜图案。
Bronze mirrors of such large size dated to the Tang dynasty are unusual and rare. Typically, this type of mirror varies between 10 to 20 cm in diameter. Compare a similar example sold at Bonhams London, 17 May 2018, lot 58. Another example, sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 4 April 2017, lot 82.
如此硕大的晚唐铜镜实属稀罕。通常，铜镜直径在10至20厘米之间。类似铜镜参照2018年5月17日伦敦邦瀚斯拍卖，拍品编号58，以及2017年4月4日香港佳士得拍卖，拍品编号82。
Reference:
[1] Schuyler Cammann, ‘The Lion and Grape Patterns on Chinese Bronze Mirrors’, Artibus Asiae
Vol. 16, No. 4 (1953), p. 265-291
Information
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