Lot 1148. Three miniature silver-decorated bronze floriform mirrors, Tang dynasty (618-907); 2 3/8, 2¼ and 2½ in. (6, 5.7 and 6.5 cm.) across. Estimate USD 4,000 - USD 6,000. Price Realised USD 25,000. © Christie's Image Ltd 2013

One of hexalobed outline is inlaid with a silver sheet decorated in repoussé with three lions racing amidst a scrolling vine within a narrow border, all picked out in gilding and reserved on a ring-punched ground. One of barbed hexafoil outline is inlaid with a silver sheet decorated in repoussé with a crouching beast loop encircled by two lions and two birds amidst grapevine reserved on a ring-punched ground. The third of octalobed outline is decorated with gold and silver foil foliate decoration inlaid in a black lacquer ground. 

Provenance: Raymond A. Bidwell (1876-1954) Collection.
The Springfield Museums, Springfield, Massachusetts, accessioned in 1962.

Exhibited: Mt. Holyoke College, South Hadley, Massachusetts, 27 September - 2 October 1967.

Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, 21 - 22 March 2013, New York, Rockefeller Plaza