“Mingxin” Bronze Mirror Decorated with Four Mythical Animals, Sui to early Tang period, 7th century

“Mingxin” Bronze Mirror Decorated with Four Mythical Animals, Sui to early Tang period, 7th century

• Image Number: K1A002002N000000000PAB
• Dynasty: Sui dynasty
• Category: Bronzes
• Function: Household appliance
• Material: Mineral/Metal/Bronze
• Description:
  Round mirror, hemispherical button, round button seat, outer ring semicircular petal pattern. There is a double line square bar outside the seat and a cross star pattern in each corner. The four double line V-shaped patterns outside the square bar divide the main pattern into four areas, each filled with a auspicious animal surrounded by clouds and qi, which has a refined posture and looks forward to life. The high string pattern is an inscription in regular script with five character rhymes: “If you win the mirror of the King of Qin, you will not hesitate to give a golden sentence. It is not about honoring the courage, but about self understanding.” Describing the legend that Qin Shihuang used a magic mirror to enlighten people’s hearts. The layout of this mirror pattern is quite similar to that of the Han Dynasty Museum mirror. Similar examples were unearthed in the Sui Tomb of Guojiatan in Xi’an and Xinxiang North Station in Henan.