A fine bronze mirror of circular form with central boss. Han Dynasty

Decorated around the boss with a tiger; a bird; a dragon; a tortoise and snake; a stag-like quadruped; and a stylised feline-like creature (spots of verdigris or other agent). 14cm (5½in) diameter.- Estimate: £2,000 - 3,000 - Unsold.

Note: The combination and number of animals here may be unusual. Jessica Rawson illustrates a TLV mirror designed with four animals, representing the four points of the compass [Chinese Art and Archaeology/1980/page 199]. Dame Jessica identifies the dragon with the east, the tiger with the west, the bird with the south, and the tortoise/snake combination with the north, and she concludes that these associations were attributed to the philosopher, Zou Wan [350-270 BC]. William Watson [Ancient Chinese Bronzes/1962/page 106] also discusses the possible combinations of animal decoration on this type, concluding that from the first years of the Second Century, AD the typical combination was bird, dragon, tiger, tortoise. The incidence here, therefore, of six animals around the boss is of interest.

Bonhams. Chinese and other Asian Works of Art, 9 Dec 2008. Knightsbridge. Copyright © 2002-2008 Bonhams 1793 Ltd., Images and Text All Rights Reserved. www.bonhams.com