Chinese Magic Mirror

the 3½" dia. cast bronze "mirror" with 2 3/4" handle, the polished back surface, reflecting the cast Chinese characters on the front surface. (small surface scratches degrade reflected image) Ex Spira Collection. How a magic mirror works is still debated but one theory is that the pattern in relief on the backside of the mirror creates areas on the front of the disc where the thickness of the bronze varies microscopically. These imperceptible irregularities on the front cause the image in the reflection.