early medieval, Byzantine and migration period buckles and fibulae

363 BRONZE MIRROR
VIII- XI c. A.D.
Cast bronze with tin-enrichment of the surface during the course of casting. Flat disk with diametrical relief lines perpendicular to each other; small loop for suspension in the center. Original polish on face side is still preserved and reflecting images. D. 3.8" (9.7 cm).
$ 300

1108 BRONZE MIRROR
V-VIII c. A.D.
Cast bronze with tin-enrichment of the surface during the course of casting. Flat disk with "birds feet" in relief set perpendicular to each other and small loop for suspension in the center. D. 2.4" (6.1 cm).
See: J. Eisner. Slovensko v paveku. Bratislava, 1993, pg 237, fig 21,7; J.Hampel. Alterthümer des frühem Mittelalters in Ungarn, 3, Atlas, Braunschweig, 1905, table 44, 4.
$ 300

1006   CHINESE BRONZE MIRROR
           T'ANG
           VIII-IX c. A.D.
Cast bronze. One side is flat and polished, the reverse is decorated in relief, with central loop shaped as a frog. The central panel contains a figure of a hoofed animal, submerged in layers of striated lines. Diametrically opposed to it there are fungi-form clouds and crescent. Three concentrical bands descending towards the middle around the circumference.   D. 2.9" (7.4 cm).
$ 950

1011 BRONZE MIRROR
V-VIII c. A.D.
Cast bronze. Flat disk with diametrical lines in relief, perpendicular to each other and small loop for suspension in the center. Concentrical circles in each quadrant. Fragment missing (ancient loss). D. 2.6" (6.6 cm).
$ 150

1017   CHINESE BRONZE MIRROR
           T'ANG
           early VIII c. A.D.
Cast bronze. One side is flat and polished, the reverse is concave and decorated entirely in relief with a scheme known as qinshou putao jing; central loop shaped as a turtle or frog. The outer circumference with a zig-zag design. The central panel contains four larger figures of an indeterminate beast, symmetrically arranged around the knob, interspaced by leaves. Outer band consists of twelve lobes alternating with leaves; below are ten birds in right profile and four butterflies. The former stand out against a floral background with grape bunches. There are three perforations along the perimeter, indicating a possible alternative use.
D. 5" (12.7 cm).
For close example, see: W. Watson. The Arts of China to AD 900. Yale University Press, 1995, pg. 243, fig. 391.
SOLD