Jan 20, 2004
Aug 23, 2012
Aug 23, 2012

Mirror with a Coiling Dragon

Mirror with a Coiling Dragon

盤龍鏡

700s

Bronze

Diameter: 10.2 cm (4 in.); Overall: 1.1 cm (7/16 in.); Rim: 0.8 cm (5/16 in.)

Weight: 329 g (11.61 oz.)

Gift of Drs. Thomas and Martha Carter in Honor of Sherman E. Lee 1995.367

Did you know?

The patina of this mirror is known as heiqigu (literally, “black lacquer antique”).

Description

Cast in high-tin and low-lead bronze by the lost wax method, this mirror has a dark and lustrous patina known as heiqigu (literally, “black lacquer antique”). It bears a design of a coiling dragon among trailing clouds. With a small, elongated head connecting to an S-curve of the neck that is as sinuous as the body and tail, the dragon of the Tang period is unique.

See also

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