A Study On The Decorative And Aesthetic Features Of The Bronze Mirrors In The Tang Danasty

The Bronze Mirrors, made of copper, tin, and lead, were for daily use in ancient times of China. The bronze mirrors have one shiny reflective side, a decorative side with various and the finest decorative patterns, and the central knop as well, which are the most unique components of China's art treasure-house. The whole thesis is devided into six sections. They are the introduction, origins of bronze mirrors, bronze mirrors in Tang Danasty, aesthetic features of the decorative patterns, great influence on artistic development afterwards, as well as conclusion and prospect.By introducing the origins and manufactures of the bronze mirrors, this thesis is extended to that bronze mirrors are craftwork combining the properties of both practical and aesthetic function. Making a general survey of the development of Chinese bronze mirrors - which have a history of 4000 years, we could find the changes in shape and knop among bronze mirrors in Tang Danasty and other stages, for example, early period (qijia culture and Shang and Zhou dynasties), epidemic period (the Spring and Autumn and Warring States Period), the peak (Han Dynasty), half Declining Period (the Period of the Three Kingdoms, Jin Dynasty, Wei Dynasty, and the Southern and Northern Dynasties), Prosperous Period (Sui and Tang dynasties), Declining Period (the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, Song, Liao, Kin, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties). When we compare and analysize the decorative features of the bronze mirror during the Tang dynasty's early, middle and late periods, it would be reflected the aesthetic psychology as a result of the influence- such as history, politics and economy and so on- for various periods of time. Giving a description of manufacturing methods and representative works of special craft of Tang Danasty - the bronze mirrors, this thesis mainly researches upon the composition styles - such as symmetry, layout, balance, rhythm and so on, and carving skills containing line engraving, relief sculpture, openwork carving, inlaid work, etc. of Tang bronze mirrors'patterns, showing the beauty of unrestrained, lively and splendid bronze mirrors, as well as the influence aftertime on the forms of expression in Chinese traditional design.This thesis adopts the approach of the combination of theory study, literature reading and field survey, striving to explore the law of development and influence of bronze mirrors in Tang Danasty through the study of the its design of the shape and decoration.