Lot 1496. A bronze circular 'TLV' mirror, Xin dynasty (AD 9-24); 7 5/16 in. (18.6 cm.) diam. Estimate USD 6,000 - USD 8,000. Price realised USD 27,500. © Christie's Images Ltd 2013.

The back of the mirror is centered by a knob set within a square cast with twelve small nipples alternating with twelve characters representing the Twelve Branches, surrounded by four 'T' motifs flanked by pairs of nipples and thread-relief birds and scrolls, all encircled by an inscription. The outer field is also cast in thread relief with the Guardians of the Four Directions - the Blue Dragon, Red Bird, White Tiger and the Dark Warrior - flanked by 'L' and 'V' motifs and alternating with animals and a Daoist immortal, within a hatchured border and below sawtooth and cloud bands on the rim. The inscription band and the Guardians are picked out in a silvery coating, wood box, stand.

Property from the Collection of Dr. Leonard and Mrs. Ann Marsak.

Provenance: Ashkenazi & Co., San Francisco, 1987.

Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art, New York, 19 - 20 September 2013