“Export” of ninth- to tenth-century Chinese bronze mirrors: Shipwreck findings from the Java Sea

Abstract This study examines the “export” of Chinese bronze mirrors and their destinations from the ninth to the tenth century, focusing on three shipwrecks—Belitung, Intan, and Cirebon—discovered in the Java Sea, Indonesia. Approximately 70 Chinese bronze mirrors were recovered from these wrecks. Through a comprehensive analysis of the styles, assemblages, and spatial distribution of the mirrors found on these shipwrecks, and by comparing them with contemporaneous examples unearthed from tombs, pagodas, and hoards, this study argues that the distinction between “export” bronze mirrors and those “domestic” lies in the coexistence of new and old mirrors in the export cases. These export assemblages featured a higher proportion of heavier and more exquisitely crafted “old mirrors.” This distinction is attributed to the specific demands of overseas markets such as Southeast Asia, West Asia, and Central Asia for high-quality Chinese bronze products.