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Chinese Mirrors

Though uncommon until the Han dynasty, the Chinese made mirrors since the Neolithic period. Chinese mirrors are made from a bronze alloy rather than glass. This craft was developed primarily during the Han dynasty. Mirrors are cast with one flat side and one side decorated with intricate lines, symbols, and decorations surrounding a round knob in the middle. As time passed, the designs became less abstract and more figurative in their representation of motifs.

The technique used to create bronze mirrors in China during the Han dynasty also led to the development of the Chinese “Magic Mirror," also known as the “light-penetration” mirror due to its seemingly transparent quality. These bronze objects appeared to be perfectly smooth and mirror-like on one side, with a decoration on the other. However, when shown under a bright light like the sun, an image of the back decoration can be seen in the projection of the flat side.


Quick Facts

  • The development of these mirrors greatly improved the lives of the Han Chinese. Prior to the invention of the bronze mirror, the Chinese would look into a basin full of water in order to see his or her reflection
  • The reflection of the back image of the magic mirror onto a wall is created by subtle and small variations in the bronze surface that are undetectable by the naked eye, and can only be felt by a master magic mirror maker
  • One of the earliest excavated bronze mirrors has been dated as far back as 2000 B.C.

Recommended Items at Auction

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An antique Chinese hand mirror, L 20 cm D 10.5 cm
May 21, 4:00 PM AEST
An antique Chinese hand mirror, L 20 cm D 10.5 cm
by For-Auction
Est: AUD300- AUD600
AUD2604 Bids
Chinese Han Dynasty Bronze Mirror w/ Stand
May 21, 10:00 AM CDT
Chinese Han Dynasty Bronze Mirror w/ Stand
by Revere Auctions
Est: $150- $300
$1251 Bid
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Collectible Chinese Bronze Mirror
May 17, 11:00 AM PDT
Collectible Chinese Bronze Mirror
by Wealthier Art & Auction
Est: $50- $60
$101 Bid
A silver table mirror with jades. Cina, 19th century
May 14, 2:30 PM CEST
A silver table mirror with jades. Cina, 19th century
by Finarte
Est: €800- €1,200
€7001 Bid
A Small Bronze Mirror, Warring States
May 17, 10:00 AM BST
A Small Bronze Mirror, Warring States
by Bennett & Dykes Ltd
Est: £350- £450
£3400 Bids
A Bronze Lion and Grapevine Mirror, Tang dynasty
May 17, 10:00 AM BST
A Bronze Lion and Grapevine Mirror, Tang dynasty
by Bennett & Dykes Ltd
Est: £3,000- £5,000
£3,0000 Bids
A Chinese bronze mirror, Han dynasty
Jun 01, 9:00 AM EDT
A Chinese bronze mirror, Han dynasty
by Oakridge Auction Gallery
Est: $100- $200
$1000 Bids
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A Chinese Bamboo Frame Hand Painted Mirror
May 25, 10:00 AM CDT
A Chinese Bamboo Frame Hand Painted Mirror
by Rivich Auction
Est: $150- $300
$750 Bids
QING DYNASTY CLOISONNE BRONZE MIRROR
May 22, 7:00 PM EDT
QING DYNASTY CLOISONNE BRONZE MIRROR
by Yakon Auctions
Est: $3,000- $6,000
$1,5000 Bids
TANG DYNASTY BRONZE MIRROR
May 22, 7:00 PM EDT
TANG DYNASTY BRONZE MIRROR
by Yakon Auctions
Est: $3,000- $5,000
$1,5000 Bids
Chinese Silvery Han Dynasty Bronze Mirror
May 15, 8:00 AM MDT
Chinese Silvery Han Dynasty Bronze Mirror
by Artemis Fine Arts
Est: $1,000- $1,500
$5000 Bids
Chinese Jin Dynasty Bronze Mirror w/ Sailing Scene
May 21, 10:00 AM CDT
Chinese Jin Dynasty Bronze Mirror w/ Sailing Scene
by Revere Auctions
Est: $250- $500
$2000 Bids
A Chinese Chippendale Style Giltwood Mirror
May 14, 9:00 AM CDT
A Chinese Chippendale Style Giltwood Mirror
by Freeman’s | Hindman
Est: $1,200- $1,800
$6000 Bids
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A HARDSTONES INLAID GOLD DECORATED BRONZE MIRROR
May 25, 10:00 AM EDT
A HARDSTONES INLAID GOLD DECORATED BRONZE MIRROR
by Madison Square Gallery
Est: $5,000- $7,000
$1,0000 Bids
A Chinese jade 'chilong' bi mirror, 18th century
Jun 01, 9:00 AM EDT
A Chinese jade 'chilong' bi mirror, 18th century
by Oakridge Auction Gallery
Est: $2,500- $3,000
$1,3000 Bids
A Chinese Han Dynasty Bronze Mirror with Four Auspicious Beasts
May 18, 2:00 PM NZST
A Chinese Han Dynasty Bronze Mirror with Four Auspicious Beasts
by Webb’s – Specialist Auctioneers
Est: $800- $1,000
$5000 Bids
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TWO CHINESE BRONZE MIRRORS
May 15, 8:00 AM PDT
TWO CHINESE BRONZE MIRRORS
by Scollard Auctions
Est: $80- $150
$400 Bids
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CHINESE BRONZE MIRROR
May 15, 8:00 AM PDT
CHINESE BRONZE MIRROR
by Scollard Auctions
Est: $100- $200
$200 Bids
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CHINESE BRONZE PHOENIX MIRRORS
May 15, 8:00 AM PDT
CHINESE BRONZE PHOENIX MIRRORS
by Scollard Auctions
Est: $150- $250
$700 Bids
2 Antique Chinese Bronze Mirrors
May 21, 10:00 AM CDT
2 Antique Chinese Bronze Mirrors
by Revere Auctions
Est: $200- $400
$250 Bids
A BRONZE CIRCULAR MIRROR
Jun 01, 9:30 AM EDT
A BRONZE CIRCULAR MIRROR
by Berkeley Auction Gallery
Est: $2,000- $3,000
$3000 Bids
A HARDSTONES INLAID GOLD AND SILVER DECORATED BRONZE MIRROR
Jun 01, 9:30 AM EDT
A HARDSTONES INLAID GOLD AND SILVER DECORATED BRONZE MIRROR
by Berkeley Auction Gallery
Est: $4,000- $5,000
$1,0000 Bids
A BRONZE MYTHICAL BEAST MIRROR
Jun 01, 9:30 AM EDT
A BRONZE MYTHICAL BEAST MIRROR
by Berkeley Auction Gallery
Est: $2,000- $3,000
$4000 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Chinese Mirrors


Eternity Gallery

Eternity Gallery

William's Auctions, LLC

William's Auctions, LLC

Revere Auctions

Revere Auctions

Yuan Art

Yuan Art