Bronze Sun-Mirror, Yang Shui: Qing Dynasty Symbol of Divine Power

A bronze Sun-Mirror, Yang Shui. Qing Dynasty, 18th century or…
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A bronze Sun-Mirror, Yang Shui. Qing Dynasty, 18th century or earlier. The Yangshui mirror, is an ancient Chinese bronze mirror with unique reflective and symbolic properties. Known as the 'sunlight ignition mirror,' it was designed with a concave surface that could concentrate sunlight to produce fire. This capability gave it a sacred status in Chinese culture, where it was often used in rituals and as a symbol of divine power and protection. Yangshui mirrors, especially prized for their craftsmanship, were believed to harness and reflect positive energy, acting as talismans against negative forces. The provenance of this piece, from the Cai Zhefu (Choi Jit Fu) collection, adds historical significance, as it reflects both cultural heritage and craftsmanship passed through generations. Provenance: Choi Jit Fu (Cai Zhefu) collection and thence by descent. Cai Shou (1879-), a native of Longjiang village, Shunde, Guangdong. Originally named Xun, he later changed his name to You Shou, with courtesy names Qi bi and Zhe Fu, drawing inspiration from the book of Songs phrase 'the wise man fortifies the city,' which led him to adopt the style name Chengchengzi. He led a dashing life, remembered most vividly for his remarkable partnership with his wife, Zhang Qingcheng (whose name is inspired by the book of Songs phrase 'the virtuous woman captivates the city'), and with Rujun tan Yue Se (also known as tan Rongrong, after Yan Shu's line 'The courtyard of pear blossoms under the soft moon'). The three were celebrated for their mastery of the 'Three Arts' and were all members of the Southern Society, with their shared talents becoMing legendary. Length 8.5 cm width 4.5 cm

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  • Qing Dynasty - The Qing Dynasty was the last imperial dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912. It was established by the Manchu people, who originated from the northeastern region of China. The Qing Dynasty was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China.
  • Bronze - An alloy of copper and tin, traditionally in the proportions of about 9 parts of copper to 1 part of tin.

    The discovery of bronze in Western Asia in the 4th century enabled people to create metal objects which were superior to those previoulsy possible because of its strength and hardness, and it has been used throughout the world for weapons, coins, tools, statuary and other decorative items.

    It is very fluid in a molten state, and its hardness, strength when set, and non-corrosive properties makes it most suitable for casting sculpture.
  • Ming Dynasty - The Ming Dynasty was a ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644. It succeeded the Yuan Dynasty and preceded the Qing Dynasty. The Ming Dynasty was established by Zhu Yuanzhang, a former Buddhist monk who became a rebel leader and eventually overthrew the Mongol Yuan Dynasty. During the Ming Dynasty, China experienced a period of relative stability and prosperity. The government was centralized and bureaucratic, with the emperor at the top of the hierarchy. The Ming Dynasty is known for its cultural achievements, including the development of porcelain, the invention of movable type printing, and the construction of the Great Wall of China.

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