Accession Number
1958/2.74

Title
Mirror, Lion-and-Grape type

Artist(s)
Chinese

Artist Nationality
Chinese (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
618-907

Medium & Support
cast bronze with black patina

Dimensions
7 9/16 in. x 7 9/16 in. x 1/2 in. ( 19.2 cm x 19.2 cm x 1.2 cm )

Credit Line
Museum Purchase

Label copy
March 28, 2009
In the Tang dynasty, it was the lion and grape motif that appealed most to wealthy members of society for the decoration of mirrors. Grapes had been introduced through trade with west Asia during the Han dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE) and clusters of grapes came to be associated in China with prosperity and large numbers of offspring. Lions had been symbols of royal authority in ancient Persia and India and entered China as exotic tributes from Central Asia. They became a popular motif on Pan-Asian metalwork and textiles of the period. The best of the lion-and-grape mirrors, with their vigorous designs cast in sharp, high relief, as seen in this example, rank among the finest metalwork produced in Chinese history.

Subject matter
Bronze mirror of the Tang Empire in Middle Period China, decorated with Persian inspired design of lions (also known as sea beast) and grapes

Physical Description
bronze mirror with highly polished surface, back side deocrated with lions and grape motif and an animal shaped knob in the center.

Primary Object Classification
Metalwork

Primary Object Type
mirror

Additional Object Classification(s)
Decorative Arts

Collection Area
Asian

Rights
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Keywords
bronze (metal)
grape (berry fruit)
mirrors