Weiner Mihályné szerk.: Az Iparművészeti Múzeum Évkönyvei 9. (Budapest, 1966)

HOPP FERENC MÚZEUM — MUSÉE FERENC HOPP - Ferenczy, László: Chinese Bronze Mirrors from the Han Period

Fig. I

. Jih kuang {,,sunlight") mirror. China, Western Han period In the last analysis, the Chinese mirrors found outside Chinese territory actually throw a light on the history of the relations between China and the neighbouring peoples. As shown in the mentioned work,

9 the Chinese mirrors found so far in Mongolian graveyards of the Hsiung-nu period, can be dated from a readily definable time, i.e. the end of the Western and the beginning of the Eastern Han period. In terms of history, this is explained by the fact that as a consequence of a decisive defeat suffered from China in the middle of the 1st century B.C. the Hsiung-nu empire was split in two halves, and the northern part surrendered to China. From this time on, the rulers ofthat part, accompanied by large suites, went to pay their respects to the Imperial court, where they received rich gifts. At this time, Chinese mirrors came thus into Mongolia in all likelihood as gifts received in China. The following pages contain a description of some bronze mirrors of the Han period, belonging to the Hopp Ferenc Museum : a) Jih-kuang or ts'ao yeh sunshine") mirror (fig. 1.). A thin mirror of silvery colour, 10,2 cm in diameter. Around a comparatively small central knob there are four leaves with needle-like cusps. In a square band there is an inscription of eight characters in stylized small seal script: chien jih chih kuang t'ien hsia ta ming (when you see the light of the sun, the world is very bright). The corners are marked with slanting lines. In the external zone there are four small nipples, with a heart-shaped leaf above each 9 ibid.