A silvery bronze 'Lion and Grapewine' mirror, Tang dynasty (AD 607-907)
Lot 1014. A silvery bronze 'Lion and Grapewine' mirror, Tang dynasty (AD 607-907); 5¼ in. (13.2 cm.) diam. Estimate USD 7,000 - USD ,000. Price Realized USD 15,000. © Christie's Image Ltd 2014
One side is cast crisply with a central lion-form knop surrounded by five large mythical beasts frolicking amidst a fruit-laden grapevine, within a narrow raised border and an outer field which depicts birds and butterflies amidst further fruiting grapevine. The reverse is plain with a silvery surface and some green and ferrous encrustation, wood box.
Provenance: Acquired in Hawaii, 4 April 1989.
Note: This mirror would have been an appropriate wedding gift, as mirrors were part of a bride's trousseau, and mandarin ducks are a symbol of conjugal bliss. The combination of mandarin ducks and lotus represents a wish for a couple being paired for life.
Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, New York, 18 - 19 September 2014