Zhou Dynasty, Warring States Period Bronze 'Shan' Type Mirror Circa 5th-3rd century BC This bronze mirror is of the Shan-type, named after its main decoration resembling the character Shan "山", meaning "mountain". The Shan character is repeated six times against a decorated background. The central ribbed loop is surrounded by a circular border and six petals enclosed within the six-pointed star created by the connected inner edges of the six Shan characters. The Zhou Dynasty, which lasted from approximately 1046 to 256 BC, is one of the most significant periods in Chinese history, noted for its long duration and its profound cultural, philosophical, and political developments. The dynasty began with the overthrow of the Shang Dynasty and established its dominance in the Yellow River valley, which is considered the cradle of Chinese civilization. The Zhou Dynasty is traditionally divided into two major periods: the Western Zhou (1046-771 BC) and the Eastern Zhou (770-256 BC). The latter part of the Eastern Zhou is particularly known for the Warring States Period (475-221 BC), a time of intense conflict and fragmentation among competing regional states. This era followed the Spring and Autumn Period (approximately 771-476 BC) and was characterized by continuous warfare, shifting alliances, and significant political and social upheaval. The Warring States Period saw the rise and fall of seven major states: Qi, Chu, Yan, Han, Zhao, Wei, and Qin, each vying for supremacy and striving to unify China under its rule. Cf. The Harvard Art Museums, Object Number: 1943.52.145. Dimensions: 120mm x 120mm; weight 235g Provenance: Private UK Ancient Art Collection formerly acquired on the UK, European, and USA Art Markets from pre-2000 Collections. Disclaimer: NO SHIPPING OUTSIDE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION. All items will be shipped from Belgium. The seller guarantees and can prove that the object was obtained legally. The seller was informed by Catawiki that they had to provide the documentation required by the laws and regulations in their country of residence. The seller guarantees and is entitled to sell/export this object. The seller will provide all provenance information known about the object to the buyer. The seller ensures that any necessary permits are/will be arranged. The seller will inform the buyer immediately about any delays in obtaining such permits. The seller will not ship outside the EU.