Lot 1269. A silvery bronze 'Lion and grapevine' circular mirror, Tang dynasty (618-907); 4 7/8 in. (12.3 cm.) diam. Estimate USD 10,000 - USD 15,000. Price realised USD 50,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2011.

Crisply cast, the central knob formed as a crouching animal encircled by five lions frolicking amidst grapevine within a raised border, the outer field with various birds and insects in flight amidst further grapevine below a band of detached clouds, with some malachite encrustation, Japanese wood box. 

Provenance: Acquired in Japan in the 1970s.

Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art Part I and Part II Including Property from the Arthur M. Sackler Collections, New York, 24 March 2011