Lot 1415. A silvery bronze circular mirror, Mid Western Han dynasty, 3rd-2nd century BC. Estimate USD 7,000 - USD 9,000. Price realised USD 9,375. © Christie's Images Ltd 2012.

The triple-fluted loop encircled by a concave band and a band of stylized dragon scroll cast in low relief against a ground of tight cloud scrolls, all within a band of linked arcs; 5¾ in. (14.6 cm.) diam., 1/8 in. (.4 cm.) thick, box - 225g 

Provenance: Robert H. Ellsworth Collection, New York, acquired in Hong Kong, 1993. 

Notes: Compare the mirror of this type with more simplified scroll reserved on a ground of larger coiled scrolls within a similar linked arc border illustrated by K. Karlgren, "Huai and Han," BMFEA, Stockholm, 1941, No. 13, pl. 73 (J 16), where it is dated 2nd century BC. It is illustrated again by Karlgren, "Early Chinese Mirrors: Classification Scheme Recapitulated," BMFEA, Stockholm, 1968, No. 40, pl. 97 (J 16). 

Christie's. Luminous Perfection: Fine Chinese Mirrors from the Robert H. Ellsworth Collection, 22 March 2012, New York, Rockefeller Center