Mirror with Dragon Motifs

MIRROR WITH DRAGON MOTIFS

Eastern Zhou dynasty, Waring States period (475 – 221 BCE).
Reportedly discovered in Jincun, Henan province.
Inventory number: XLIX:I:E.01.

Although fragmented, one can still make out the dragon motifs on a dotted background in the central field. Moving outwards, there is a twisted double-line design, followed by a register filled with cowrie shells. In between each register is a plain band. The small loop in the center has a twisted rope-like decoration.

Although mirrors in China started to be made in the late Neolithic period in the north western region, this is still considered an earlier mirror for Central China. Later mirrors have a thick ridge around the edge to give it structural support.