Description

By the Han dynasty, mirrors had become an important component of grave goods. Their reflective surface was believed to bring life and light into the darkness of the tomb. This round mirror has a wide rim separated into three section, which slightly slopes towards the decorative centre.  It has a raised band with flat surface that forms the outter rim, and surrounding a middle band of scrolling clouds that are designed in wide linear relief with a narrow inner band of a  saw-tooth pattern.  The decorative section contains TLV pattern and four groups of creatures in thread relief, which include a dragon on the left and tiger on the right, a pair of birds on both side, and unidentified animals.  Within each group there is a pair of nipples on disk totalling eight nipples surround the central section.  The inscription of the maker's name, "Ma," is placed in a circular plaque between one of the pairs.  The central section, which contains a truncated knob in raised circle, is framed by a square band.  In each corner of the square, there is a C-curl in thread relief.  Brownish-grey patina exist on the mirror.  The reflecting side is shiny in brassy color.