Bronze Mirrors in Ancient China: Artistry and Technique

Examines mass production in antiquity

Highly decorated mirrors are widely sought by museums with collections of Chinese art and are the most actively exchanged items in the art market of ancient Chinese bronzes. Featuring intricate designs that draw from those observable on woven bamboo, textiles, jade, and lacquered and painted objects of their time, these mirrors display intricate artistry. Motifs such as dragons, birds, and monsters interplay with layered decorative patterns. Most of what...