A SILVERY BRONZE SQUARE ‘LION AND GRAPEVINE’ MIRROR, TANG DYNASTY
China. 618-907. The central lion-shaped knob surrounded by lions with raised heads frolicking amidst grapevine, within a raised circular border and an outer field where birds are shown amidst further grapevine in each corner. The outer border with a raised rim and slightly flared sides which are decorated with scrolling designs.


Provenance:
From a private collection in West Yorkshire, United Kingdom, formed in the 1970s and 1980s.

Condition:
Excellent condition, commensurate with age. Wear, signs of weathering and erosion, corrosion, tiny nicks and losses. The silvery bronze with a solid, naturally grown patina showing distinct malachite and soil encrustations as well scattered dark specks and faint hues of cuprite.

Weight: 779.9 g (excl. stand) and 1,360 g (incl. stand)
Dimensions: Length 14.4 cm

With a fitted metal stand. (2)


Literature comparison:

Compare a related silvered bronze mirror, 9 x 9 cm, dated to the Tang dynasty, exhibited in Ancient Chinese and Ordos Bronzes, Oriental Ceramic Society of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong, 1990, cat. no. 180.


Auction result comparison:

Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie’s New York, 18 March 2009, lot 241
Price: USD 17,500 or approx.
EUR 23,000
converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A silvery bronze square lion and grapevine mirror, Tang dynasty
Expert remark: Compare the closely related form, manner of casting, and motif. Note the square border encircling the central motif and the smaller size (11.6 cm).


Auction result comparison:

Type: Related
Auction: Christie’s New York, 22 March 2012, lot 1443
Price: USD 47,500 or approx.
EUR 58,500
converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A small bronze square ‘lion and grapevine’ mirror, Tang dynasty
Expert remark: Compare the closely related form, manner of casting, and motif. Note the square border encircling the central motif and the much smaller size (9.2 cm).




唐代海獸葡萄紋鎏銀銅鏡


中國，618-907年。方鏡，背面中央高浮雕，臥獅鈕，四周環繞著海獸和葡萄藤，外場有神鳥與葡萄藤和葡萄串，卷葉紋。


來源：
英國西約克郡的私人收藏，形成於 二十世紀七十年代和八十年代。

品相：
狀態極佳，有磨損、風化和侵蝕和微小刻痕、缺損，青銅具有堅固的自然包漿，有土壤結殼，以及分散的黑色斑點和淡淡的赤銅礦色調。

重量：779.9 克 (不含底座) ，1,360 克 (含底座)
尺寸：長 14.4 厘米

金屬支架 (2)


文獻比較：

比較一件相近的唐代八世紀狻猊葡萄方鏡，9 x 9厘米，展覽於《Ancient Chinese and Ordos Bronzes，Oriental Ceramic Society of Hong Kong》，香港藝術博物館，香港，1990年，圖錄編號180。


拍賣結果比較：

形制：非常相近
拍賣：紐約佳士得，2009年3月18日，lot 241
價格：USD 17,500（相當於今日
EUR 23,000
）
描述：唐代鎏銀獅和葡萄銅方鏡
專家評論：比較非常相近的外形、鑄造風格和主題。請注意方形邊框環繞中央，以及尺寸較小(11.6厘米)。


拍賣結果比較：

形制：相近
拍賣：紐約佳士得，2012年3月22日，lot 1443
價格：USD 47,500（相當於今日
EUR 58,500
）
描述：唐海獸葡萄紋方銅鏡
專家評論：比較非常相近的外形、鑄造風格和主題。請注意方形邊框環繞中央，以及尺寸較小(9.2厘米)。