Page 227 - Deydier VOL.1 Meiyintang Collection of Chinese Bronses

154. Bronze spearhead 155. Bronze mirror
Eastern Zhou dynasty, Spring and Autumn period, circa 8 – 5 centuries bc. Western Han dynasty, Xin Wang Mang period, 9 – 23 A.D.
th
th
東周春秋時期鏤空青銅矛 西漢新(王莽)時期青銅六博局紋鏡
Length: 29.5 cm Diameter: 23 cm

Provenance: Published: Inscription: the yang; sons and grandsons fill the centre; may they
▪ Sotheby’s, London, 20 June 2001, lot no. 1. ▪ Sotheby’s, London, 20 June 2001, lot no. 1. ▪ Two inscriptions appear on the back of the mirror. The forever preserve their family’s wealth, prosperity and
▪ J.J. Lally & Co., New York, USA. ▪ Wang Tao, Chinese Bronzes from the Meiyintang first one, within the square, consists of the names of longevity; Oh, unshatterable like stone, like dukes and
Collection, London 2009, p. 300-301, no. 154. the twelve earthly branches.《子丑寅卯辰巳午未申酉 kings.” 《新有言(善)同(銅)出丹陽, 涷治銀錫清而明, 尚
Exhibited: 戌亥》The second inscription reads: “Recently, fine 方禦竟(鏡)大(天)毋傷, 巧工刻至成文章, 左龍右虎辟(
▪ Sotheby’s, London, 20 June 2001, catalogue no. 1. metals have been coming from Danyang. Silver and 避)不祥, 朱鳥玄氏順陰陽, 子孫備具居中央, 長保親樂富
tin are melted together to make a clear bright metal. 昌壽, 敝兮石如侯王兮.》
The spirits of the directions are protecting this mirror
and it will not be harmed. A skillful worker carved it Published:
to form an array of patterns: a dragon on the left, a ▪ Wang Tao, Chinese Bronzes from the Meiyintang
tiger on the right to fend off misfortune; the red bird Collection, London 2009, p. 302 – 303, no. 155.
and dark turtle to balance harmoniously the yin and

226 227