Lot 1272. Three bronze circular mirrors, Sui-Tang dynasty, 6th-8th century; 3 5/8, 6 and 3¾ in. (9.2, 15.2 and 9.5 cm.) diam. Estimate USD 4,000 - USD 6,000. Price realised USD 40,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2011.

One cast with four animals racing around the central knob, within a raised border and an inscription in the outer field, below dogtooth and scallop borders; the largest with a band of tiny bosses encircling the knob, in the outer field four masks face the center as two pairs of different types of dragons stride amidst clouds and foliate scrolls, within scroll and dogtooth borders; the third cast in high relief with 'lion and grapevine' decoration, the knob formed as a crouching animal surrounded by four lions with raised heads, with various birds and ducks in the outer field, all amidst fruiting grapevine below clouds at the rim. 

Property of the Harvard Art Museums, sold to benefit the Asian acquisitions fund.

Provenance: Acquired prior to 2000.

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