Kofun Mirror

In over 30 years of collecting, this is only genuine Kofun period mirror I have had the priviledge of owning.  This particular bronze mirror was made in Japan, but most likely by foreign craftsmen.  The design mimics contemporary Chinese examples, but is has several distinctly Japanese features.  Unlike continental examples, Japanese mirrors tend to be a bit thicker, heavier and slightly bowed, with many having a characteristic inward bevel to the outer edge, a large central boss with a relatively small aperature for a retention cord.  Most indicative however it the distinctly Japanese figure of a small, plump plover bird or Chidori.  Remarkably, this motif stayed virtually unchanged from the Kofun through Edo periods.  The mirror retains caliche and bronze encrustation on the surface, but the back is still partially silvered and retains a semblance of reflectivity.

This example looks very similar in overall composition to mirrors unearthed at Tenjinyama Kofun near Nara.  Mirrors from that excavation featured bird motifs, including the Chidori, as seen in the detail inset.

This medium sized mirror is a genuine, very early, and consequently extremely rare example of Japanese style.  An exceptional addition to any collector interested in early bronze.

Measurements: 9.8cm x 0.5cm at the rim

 Kofun Period (古墳時代), early 5th c.

SOLD