A rare bronze animal and vine mirror, China, Tang dynasty (618-907). Photo Nagel Auktionen

probably 2nd half of the Tang period, the thinly cast and silvery shiny mirror has as central knob to pull through a suspension cord a long, crouching lion-like animal surrounded by six marten-like slender animals amid scrolling vines, but no fruiting grapevines like the following and typical so-called "lion and grapevine" densely decorated mirror with many grapes, animals and insects. The plain cavetto and specular side show a bright silvery shining colour with some tiny malachite encrustation, good condition - D. 11,9 cm. Estimate 3 000/4 000 €

Property from an important private collection of Chinese art

Nagel Auktionen. 2013/05/08. http://www.auction.de/