Loading Spinner

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

See all items

bp parity badge
Chinese Jade and Silver Hand Mirror.
Dec 10, 10:00 AM EST
Chinese Jade and Silver Hand Mirror.
by Clarke Auction Gallery
Est: $600- $900
$4504 Bids
18th Century Chinese Bronze Mirror Decorated in a Floral Motif. 10cms Diameter.
Dec 17, 7:00 PM AEDT
18th Century Chinese Bronze Mirror Decorated in a Floral Motif. 10cms Diameter.
by Bargain Hunt Auctions
Est: AUD0- AUD0
AUD303 Bids
Antique Chinese Carved Jade Framed Mirror
Dec 16, 11:00 AM EST
Antique Chinese Carved Jade Framed Mirror
by Kavanagh Auctions
Est: $20- $15,000
$302 Bids
CHINESE SMALL 20 CHARACTER BRONZE MIRROR 4'
Dec 10, 2:00 PM PST
CHINESE SMALL 20 CHARACTER BRONZE MIRROR 4'
by District Auction
Est: $40- $60
$201 Bid
A BRONZE MIRROR, HAN DYNASTY STYLE. J078
Dec 12, 11:00 AM EST
A BRONZE MIRROR, HAN DYNASTY STYLE. J078
by Metropolitan Auction of Art Inc.
Est: $1,800- $2,500
$7501 Bid
bp parity badge
Chinese Old Wood Wall Hanging Mirror
Dec 16, 11:00 AM PST
Chinese Old Wood Wall Hanging Mirror
by Wealthier Art & Auction
Est: $50- $100
$200 Bids
Chinese bronzen spiegel met decor van draken, diam 17 cm
Dec 14, 7:00 PM CET
Chinese bronzen spiegel met decor van draken, diam 17 cm
by Veilinghuis Van Spengen
Est: €150- €250
€1500 Bids
Chinese antieke bronzen spiegel, 16e/17e eeuw, diam. 13,5 cm
Dec 14, 7:00 PM CET
Chinese antieke bronzen spiegel, 16e/17e eeuw, diam. 13,5 cm
by Veilinghuis Van Spengen
Est: €150- €200
€1500 Bids
A BRONZE MYTHICAL BEAST MIRROR
Dec 12, 1:00 PM PST
A BRONZE MYTHICAL BEAST MIRROR
by China Arts Auction
Est: $7,000- $10,000
$1,5000 Bids
A SILVER INLAY BRONZE DRAGON MIRROR
Dec 12, 1:00 PM PST
A SILVER INLAY BRONZE DRAGON MIRROR
by China Arts Auction
Est: $1,500- $2,500
$4000 Bids
Bronze Two Fishes Mirror
Dec 13, 5:00 PM EST
Bronze Two Fishes Mirror
by Yakon Auctions
Est: $1,200- $1,800
$3000 Bids
AN ANTIQUE CHINESE BRONZE MIRROR
Dec 16, 12:00 PM PST
AN ANTIQUE CHINESE BRONZE MIRROR
by Jumbo Auction House
Est: $200- $400
$1000 Bids
AN ANTIQUE CHINESE BRONZE MIRROR
Dec 16, 12:00 PM PST
AN ANTIQUE CHINESE BRONZE MIRROR
by Jumbo Auction House
Est: $300- $500
$1000 Bids
TURQUOISE INLAID BRONZE RITUAL MIRROR
Dec 16, 12:00 PM PST
TURQUOISE INLAID BRONZE RITUAL MIRROR
by Jumbo Auction House
Est: $5,200- $8,100
$2000 Bids
A HAN DYNASTY BRONZE MIRROR
Dec 16, 12:00 PM PST
A HAN DYNASTY BRONZE MIRROR
by Jumbo Auction House
Est: $200- $300
$700 Bids
A GILT AND TURQUOISE-INLAID BRONZE DRAGON MIRROR
Dec 16, 12:00 PM PST
A GILT AND TURQUOISE-INLAID BRONZE DRAGON MIRROR
by Jumbo Auction House
Est: $4,000- $6,300
$2000 Bids
A CHINESE CANTON ENAMEL HAND MIRROR, QIANLONG/JIAQING
Dec 14, 9:30 AM CET
A CHINESE CANTON ENAMEL HAND MIRROR, QIANLONG/JIAQING
by Rob Michiels Auctions
Est: €2,000- €4,000
€1,6000 Bids
唐 青铜飞天仙女人物故事方镜 Tang, A Very Rare Rectangular Bronze Mirror with Apsaras Scene
Dec 30, 10:00 AM EST
唐 青铜飞天仙女人物故事方镜 Tang, A Very Rare Rectangular Bronze Mirror with Apsaras Scene
by Gianguan Auctions
Est: $2,000- $3,000
$5000 Bids
A Chinese celadon jade mounted hand mirror, the jade 18th/19th century
Dec 12, 10:00 AM GMT
A Chinese celadon jade mounted hand mirror, the jade 18th/19th century
by Gorringes
Est: £800- £1,200
£4000 Bids
Silver & Gold InlaidDragon Pattern Bronze Mirror
Dec 14, 2:00 PM PST
Silver & Gold InlaidDragon Pattern Bronze Mirror
by Walnut Tree Auction House, Inc
Est: $5,000- $6,500
$5000 Bids
Gilt Bronze Bird Pattern Mirror
Dec 14, 2:00 PM PST
Gilt Bronze Bird Pattern Mirror
by Walnut Tree Auction House, Inc
Est: $1,200- $1,600
$2000 Bids
Gilt Bronze Bird Pattern Mirror
Dec 14, 2:00 PM PST
Gilt Bronze Bird Pattern Mirror
by Walnut Tree Auction House, Inc
Est: $4,200- $5,000
$1,0000 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Chinese Mirrors


Ethereal Auctioneers

Ethereal Auctioneers

Designer Homes of Central Florida

Designer Homes of Central Florida

Jumbo Auction House

Jumbo Auction House

China Arts Auction

China Arts Auction