Metal mirror of Iran and China

The art of metalwork is an Iranian form of handcraft that dates back to thousands of years ago. Each art piece representing the culture and custom of the people from the era it was made.
The achaemenid and Sassanid dynasties are two of the main outstanding pre-Islamic eras, from which valuable and priceless pieces of art have been left behind. The art from these dynasties contain various patterns, however it seems that it is mainly the animal patterns that draw the viewers to themselves.
The most predominant post-Islamic era in the art of metalwork is the Seljuk dynasty. Metal mirrors are examples of arts and crafts produced in Iran during both pre and post-Islamic eras. The mirrors were mainly round, occasionally with a handle, crafted out of metal, engraved and ornamented with patterns. Metalwork is also one of the active forms Chinese arts and crafts, and the pieces from the various dynasties mainly Hun, Tang and Song are decorated with uttermost precision. The beautiful and delicately decorated mirrors made in the Seljuk dynasty are very similar to the mirrors made in China. This similarity has brought up the question that whether the origins of the Iranian metal mirror making is China. This historical research has been theoretical and based on findings from books and documented resources. The aim of this research, was to find and show the characteristics of the metal mirrors from each country, based on the pieces of art left, in order to ascertain the thought and reasoning behind the making of these pieces. In conclusion, this research has found that the metal mirrors made in Iran during the Seljuk dynasty, were influenced by Chinese techniques.