Lot 130. A rare bronze 'Holy mountains and spiritual animals' mirror, Tang dynasty (618-907). Diameter 8 3/8  in., 21.3 cm. Estimate 50,000 — 70,000 USD. Lot sold 125,000 USD. Photo: Sotheby's.

the central knob set in the center of the diagram of four holy mountains and cast as the fifth mountain, surrounded by two 'animals of the four directions', the dragon and turtle, further surrounded by auspicious animals and plants, with the outer register representing the animals of the zodiac, the patina of dark gray color.

Provenance: Old Japanese collection, circa 1980, by repute.