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.