A Bronze Circular Mirror. Sui Dynasty (581-618).  Photo: Christie's Images Ltd 2012

The central knob is surrounded by six frolicking, lion-like animals within narrow dogtooth and hatchured borders and an outer inscription band set below a diaper band on the inward-canted rim. The bronze has a silvery grey patina with some areas of green encrustation, and the reverse has extensive encrustation. 5¾ in. (14.6 cm.) diam., Japanese wood box - Estimate $15,000 - $20,000

隋 「團團寶鏡」銘海獸纹銅鏡

Provenance: Private collection, Japan, acquired in the 1970s. 

Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art Part II, 13 September 2012. New York, Rockefeller Plaza