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

have been wet, because there are reproductions of fishes on a TLV mirror behind these symbols. It is interesting to note on our mirror the long needle-like patterns between the side of the L-s and the rim, with 3 short cross lines at the inside end of each. This pattern can be found also on two mirrors of the Hanoi Museum, dating from the end of the Western Han period.

35 In most cases there are small spirals under the symbols L. Recently, several works of Bulling have treated the development and the meaning of TLV mirrors. In her opinion, the TLV mirrors represent the ceiling of a building and, at the same time, a parasol or a canopy. The symbols T represent the ends of beams, the V-s stand for the triangular wall brackets, and the L-s for the props.

36 This interpretation of the TLV mirrors is not inconsistent with their cosmic meaning. From the middle of the 2nd century B. C. the TLV mirrors remained very popular throughout the entire Han period. In order to fix more precisely the age of our piece, the following details should be taken into account : the knob of the mirror is comparatively small, it is surrounded by a plain ring, while a leaflet is situated in each corner of the square. Similar central and corner patterns can be found on mirrors of the transition period and the early Eastern Han period.

37 The simplification of the mirror centre is characteristic of the transition between the Western and the Eastern Han period. In animal reproductions we cannot find yet the broad-chested conventionalized animal figures of the highly developed Wang Mang style. There is still more striving after realism, the animals are rendered rather in motion. It is mainly from the last third of the 1st century B. C. we can find an analogy to the figure of the only immortal, hsien-jen. The „rolling cloud" pattern on the rim can be frequently found on mirrors of the Wang Mang period, but later too. So, our mirror can be dated with fair probability from the end of the 1st century B. C. h) TLV mirror (fig. 9.). Somewhat larger than that of the previous mirror, the hemispherical knob lies on a plain ring. It is surrounded by a square zone, with 12 small nipples and the symbols of the duodenary cycle. In the external zone there are the TLV symbols, as well as 8 major nipples with the animal figures representing the seasons of the year : in the north the turtle with the snake, next to it a hsien-jen ; in the eastern quarter, the Green dragon, with a pheasant-like bird to the left; in the south the Red bird, with a stag to the left; in the west, the White Tiger and a goat. Small spirals and dots are between the animal figures. The whole zone ends in a stripe with slanting comb-teeth. The rim is rather thick and is decorated with a threefold zig-zag or saw-tooth pattern, the central line being drawn in double. The mirror is of a silvery colour, with a little green and red-brown patina on both sides. Diameter: 14.3 cm. In addition to what has been said about the previous mirror, its analysis may be completed by what follows : the fact that the knob is somewhat larger is indicative of a later date. There is a sharp difference in the rendering of animal figures: instead of the earlier realistic representation, these figures are 35 Vandermersch : op. cit. Pl. VIII. A. B. 36 Bulling : The decoration of some mirrors of the Chou and Han periods. Artibus Asiae. Vol. XVIII. 1955. pp. 33 — 45. 37 Cf. Bulling : The decoration ... p. 60. Fig. 5 d. e.