A rare bronze 'Double Phoenix' mirror with inscription, Tang dynasty. Estimation  70,000 — 90,000 USD. Photo Sotheby's.

cast in relief with two phoenix standing on lotus flowers flanking a pierced central knob, with long tasseled cords trailing up from their beaks, holding a banner with the X-sign, below is a flower and another banner with the character chun (spring), along the rim an inscription in kaishu-style  - Diameter 8 1/2  in., 21.6 cm

Provenance: Private Asian collection, circa 1980-90, by repute.

Notes: Translation of the inscription:

(The mirror) is bright like the floating moon, and the material is embedded with the dark spirit.  Forever lasting, the mirror will purify your heart.

Sotheby's. Inscriptions: History as Art New York, 17 mars 2015, 01:30 PM