Bronze Mirror With The Design Of Playing Polo*

This is a Tang-Dynasty bronze mirror featuring jiju scenes. Measuring 17cm in diameter, the mirror is silver white at the front and lacquer black at the back. The edge of the mirror is in the shape of an eight-petal water chestnut flower, applied with two colors penetrating into each other. The center of the mirror features four horse riders playing jiju. They are in different postures, with some holding the stick high to seize the ball; some leaning forward to strike the ball; and some turning the horse back and striking the ball. The horses are galloping and the riders are trying hard to strike the ball. The picture brings a cracking Tang-Dynasty Jiju game to life.

唐代打马球铜镜**

　　  国内至少存在三件。 一件藏在故宫博物院,直径19.3厘米。外形为八瓣菱花，镜背面饰有四个连续动作的马球手，工艺精湛，是研究古代马球运动的可贵资料。 一件藏在扬州市博物馆，为扬州市邗江县泰安乡金湾霸工地出土，铜镜直径为18.5厘米，厚1.0厘米。镜为八角菱形，镜背纹饰四骑士，手执弯头球杖 ，跃马奔驰作击球状,人与球之间衬以高山花卉纹。 还有一件藏在安徽怀宁县文管所，为当地1983年一座唐墓出土。镜子直径19.5厘米，缘厚 1.0厘米，呈菱花形。质地青铜，黑漆古，晶莹锃亮，可以照人。半球形钮，圆钮座。镜面微凸，背饰凸连弧纹一周，镜缘与连弧纹之间有等距的花蝶纹，另在连 弧纹内为浮雕式的打马球纹图案，有四人分别驾驭奔马抢击二球，其间饰有花草、山峰等纹饰。一马四蹄腾空，骑士高举球杖奋力夺球；一马前蹄腾空，后蹄着地， 骑士肩荷球杖伺机击球；一马前蹄着地，后蹄腾空，骑士持杖身向前斜，似欲抢球；一马似被紧勒缰绳，昂首嘶鸣，骑士侧身向后用球杖钩球。整个画面表现出打马 球比赛生动活泼而又激烈的场面，堪称唐代铜镜苑中的一枝独秀。

* Culture China http://www.cultural-china.com/

**   百度百科       http://baike.baidu.com/