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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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Conjunto de dois espelhos chineses, com molduras e painéis de madeira entalhada.
Feb 10, 7:00 PM WET
Conjunto de dois espelhos chineses, com molduras e painéis de madeira entalhada.
by Palácio do Correio Velho
Est: €100- €200
€1403 Bids
A BRONZE MIRROR, HAN DYNASTY STYLE. J078
Feb 16, 11:00 AM EST
A BRONZE MIRROR, HAN DYNASTY STYLE. J078
by Metropolitan Auction of Art Inc.
Est: $1,800- $2,500
$7501 Bid
A bronze Chinese mirror featuring animal relief (Dia:23cm)
Feb 13, 1:00 PM AEDT
A bronze Chinese mirror featuring animal relief (Dia:23cm)
by Lawsons
Est: AUD80- AUD120
AUD151 Bid
(5) EARLY CHINESE BRONZE HAND MIRRORS
Feb 22, 11:00 AM EST
(5) EARLY CHINESE BRONZE HAND MIRRORS
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Est: $300- $500
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A TURQUOISE INLAID BRONZE MIRROR
Feb 23, 9:30 AM EST
A TURQUOISE INLAID BRONZE MIRROR
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Est: $800- $1,000
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A BRONZE RECTANGULAR MIRROR
Feb 23, 9:30 AM EST
A BRONZE RECTANGULAR MIRROR
by Berkeley Auction Gallery
Est: $2,000- $3,000
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Chinese Bronze Mirror Group
Mar 08, 12:00 PM GMT
Chinese Bronze Mirror Group
by TimeLine Auctions
Est: £80- £100
£50 Bids
Chinese Red Painted and Giltwood Mirror
Feb 27, 11:00 AM EST
Chinese Red Painted and Giltwood Mirror
by Auctions at Showplace
Est: $200- $400
$500 Bids
A BRONZE CIRCULAR MIRROR
Feb 23, 9:30 AM EST
A BRONZE CIRCULAR MIRROR
by Berkeley Auction Gallery
Est: $2,000- $3,000
$2000 Bids
A RARE POLYCHROME PAINTED CIRCULAR MIRROR
Feb 23, 9:30 AM EST
A RARE POLYCHROME PAINTED CIRCULAR MIRROR
by Berkeley Auction Gallery
Est: $2,000- $3,000
$3000 Bids
ZHANG DAQIAN'S FOUR-FOOT MIRROR
Feb 13, 7:00 PM EST
ZHANG DAQIAN'S FOUR-FOOT MIRROR
by YaShawn Auction House
Est: $3,000- $5,000
$1,5000 Bids
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PAIR OF TANG DYNASTY BRONZE MIRRORS
Feb 22, 1:00 PM GMT
PAIR OF TANG DYNASTY BRONZE MIRRORS
by Apollo Art Auctions
Est: £200- £300
£1000 Bids
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PAIR OF TANG DYNASTY BRONZE MIRRORS
Feb 22, 1:00 PM GMT
PAIR OF TANG DYNASTY BRONZE MIRRORS
by Apollo Art Auctions
Est: £200- £300
£1000 Bids
A Chinese Bronze Plain Mirro
Feb 22, 9:30 AM EST
A Chinese Bronze Plain Mirro
by Luban Antique
Est: $100- $500
$200 Bids
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Estate Chinese Bronze Mirror Sets
Feb 22, 11:00 AM PST
Estate Chinese Bronze Mirror Sets
by Wealthier Art & Auction
Est: $50- $100
$200 Bids
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Chinese Export Bronze Mirror
Feb 22, 11:00 AM PST
Chinese Export Bronze Mirror
by Wealthier Art & Auction
Est: $50- $60
$100 Bids
Ancient Chinese Bronze Tang Dynasty Mirror with certificate of authenticity and provenance
Feb 23, 11:00 AM EST
Ancient Chinese Bronze Tang Dynasty Mirror with certificate of authenticity and provenance
by Collective Hudson, LLC
Est: $200- $2,000
$2000 Bids
Chinese Silver Hand Mirror with Peacock
Mar 01, 11:00 AM EST
Chinese Silver Hand Mirror with Peacock
by Kavanagh Auctions
Est: $50- $15,000
$500 Bids
A Chinese white metal hardstone handled mirror 22cm
Feb 14, 9:00 AM GMT
A Chinese white metal hardstone handled mirror 22cm
by Hannam's Auctioneers
Est: £30- £50
£250 Bids
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TANG DYNASTY BRONZE MIRROR WITH TWO FISH
Feb 22, 1:00 PM GMT
TANG DYNASTY BRONZE MIRROR WITH TWO FISH
by Apollo Art Auctions
Est: £100- £150
£500 Bids
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HAN DYNASTY BRONZE MIRROR
Feb 22, 1:00 PM GMT
HAN DYNASTY BRONZE MIRROR
by Apollo Art Auctions
Est: £100- £150
£500 Bids
BRONZE PAINTED DIVINE BIRD PATTERN BRONZE MIRROR BEFORE THE MING DYNASTY
Mar 01, 3:00 PM PST
BRONZE PAINTED DIVINE BIRD PATTERN BRONZE MIRROR BEFORE THE MING DYNASTY
by Mega International Auction
Est: $2,000- $3,000
$1,2000 Bids
A Chinese Export Reverse-Painted Mirror
Feb 19, 10:00 AM EST
A Chinese Export Reverse-Painted Mirror
by Freeman’s | Hindman
Est: $3,000- $5,000
$1,5000 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Chinese Mirrors


Leonard Joel

Leonard Joel

Apollo Art Auctions

Apollo Art Auctions

Berkeley Auction Gallery

Berkeley Auction Gallery

Thomaston Place Auction Galleries

Thomaston Place Auction Galleries