CHINESE IDEAS OF ANTIQUES 61 



The specimens which still exist are mostly of a wax tea 

 (ft£ 3R?) colour but some are a jet black. The ornamentations 

 are small and delicate and are of three kinds : (1) Small 

 checker squares, (2) a palindrome ode (M 2fc), (3) Tortoise 

 shell (fil 3t) markings. Each and all of these varieties are 

 highly prized. There still exists a small square urn which 

 is only four or five inches in height. ' This specimen is 

 believed to have been manufactured during the T'ang 

 dynasty as an imitation of Wen Wang's (3t 5E) five hundred 

 miniature urns. It is said that Kiang Niang Tsi (H M -P) also- 

 imitated some of these miniature urns, the embellish- 

 ments of which were beautiful and the dimensions pleasing 

 to the eye. If Wang Yen (EE W) actually did imitate any 

 of these wares they were inferior to those made by Kiang 

 Niang Tsi. 



The best ancient copper mirrors measure from one to 



three inches in diameter. Those measuring from four to 



eight inches are only of a second rate quality. Both should 



have some ancient literary inscriptions stamped thereon. 



The face of the mirror ought to be clear and glistening 



resembling a sheet of water exposed to the rays of the sun. 



A proverb describing good mirrors runs somewhat as follows : 



The face of the mirror must be without blemish, 



Its shape must be perfectly round. 



It must not distort the visage 



Of the person who is gazing therein. 



There are some copper mirrors whose size is only about 

 the size of a single copper cash piece. These mirrors have 

 no inscriptions or marking either on back or front, but some 

 backs are embossed with silver or gold, while the face is 

 endowed with peculiar light reflecting properties. These are 

 called " Mirror Gems." 



With regard to those mirrors which only reveal their 

 beauties when exposed to the direct rays of the sun, it has 

 been stated that imitations of these articles can be made, 

 by taking small pieces of copper and moulding them into 

 the desired shape and size. After the moulding process is 

 completed, various flowers and knobs are engraven thereon. 

 After the engraving is completed the hollows are again filled 

 up with a compound of pewter and copper, and then bur- 

 nished smooth. It is claimed that if these are placed in the 

 direct rays of the sun, that the engraven flowers and knobs 

 will be visible to the naked eye. If any one should attempt 

 to carry out these instructions, and actually succeed in 

 producing such a mirror, he will soon have to frankly admit 

 that the instructions are not only difficult of execution, but 



