Page 65 - Fine Chinese Art Bonhams London May 2018

57 *
A RARE GOLD-SHEET-INLAID BRONZE FOLIATE
MIRROR
Tang Dynasty
The six-petalled mirror inlaid with a sheet of gold chased
with three horses galloping head to tail in low relief against
a ground of incised leafy scrolls issuing from the central
domed knob, contrasting with the silvery finish on the wide
rim and reverse reflective surface, box.
5.7cm (2 1/4in) wide. (2).
£3,000 - 5,000
CNY27,000 - 45,000
唐 銅金背奔馬菱花鏡

Provenance: The Mengdiexuan Collection

Published: J.M.White and E.Bunker, Adornment for
Eternity: Status and Rank in Chinese Ornament, Denver,
1994, p.140, no.55f.

來源： 香港夢蝶軒收藏

出版： J.M.White及E.Bunker著，《Adornment for
Eternity: Status and Rank in Chinese Ornament》，
1994年，頁140，編號55f

Mirrors had been made using bronze since the Shang
dynasty (16th-11th century BC) but during the Tang 57
dynasty, the most rare and prized mirrors were inset with
either an elaborately decorated cut sheet of gold or silver.
A related gold-sheet inlaid bronze mirror, Tang dynasty,
similarly decorated with animals but of octafoil form, was
sold at Christie’s New York,
17-18 March 2016, lot 1402.

58 *
A LARGE BRONZE ‘MYTHICAL ANIMALS AND
GRAPES’ MIRROR
Tang Dynasty
Crisply cast with a crouching-lion knop in the centre,
surrounded by three lions and three qilin, all amongst
fruiting grapevines within a circular border, the concave
border containing seated and flying birds as well as lions
and beasts also surrounded by grapes and vines, all within
a decorative tri-foliate border, fitted box.
21cm (8 1/4in) diam. (2).
£2,000 - 3,000
CNY18,000 - 27,000

唐 銅海獸葡萄紋鏡

Provenance: The Mengdiexuan Collection

Exhibited: University Museum and Art Gallery, The
University of Hong Kong, Adornment for Body and Soul:
Ancient Chinese Ornaments from the Mengdiexuan
Collection, 13 March - 11 August 1999

Published: Adornment for Body and Soul: Ancient
Chinese Ornaments from the Mengdiexuan Collection,
Hong Kong, 1999, p.149, no.50.

來源： 香港夢蝶軒收藏

展覽： 1999年3月13日至8月11日於香港大學美術博物館
「金翠流芳：夢蝶軒藏中國古代飾物」特展展出

出版： 《金翠流芳：夢蝶軒藏中國古代飾物》，香
港，1999年，頁149，編號50

A related bronze ‘sea beasts and grapes’ mirror, Tang 58
dynasty, similarly decorated but smaller in size, was sold
at Sotheby’s New York, 18-19 March 2014, lot 208.

For details of the charges payable in addition to the final Hammer Price of each Lot
please refer to paragraphs 7 & 8 of the Notice to Bidders at the back of the catalogue. FINE CHINESE ART | 63