Bronze mirror ‘Beasts’, Tang dynasty

A bronze pocket mirror. It has a lobed profile, in the shape of flower petals, and decorations in relief showing small vegetal motifs and five mythological beasts in the centre. The back face is smooth where it would once have reflected like a mirror. It shows signs of oxidation and patina from ageing. Tang Dynasty (618 - 906) or later.  

Size: 14.9 x 14.9 cm

Weight: 751 g