A gold and silver-inlaid black-ground bronze circular mirror. Western Han dynasty (206 BC-AD 8). Photo: Christie's Images Ltd 2012

The small triple-fluted loop encircled by a band of inlaid diagonal scroll, the main field inlaid with a design of three long-tailed birds alternating with three striding dragons, all within an outer sawtooth border; 8 15/16 in. (22.7 cm.) diam., ¼ in. (.5 cm.) thick, box - 923.4g. Estimate $20,000 - $30,000

西漢 錯金銀龍鳥紋銅鏡 

Provenance: A.W. Bahr (1877-1959).

Robert H. Ellsworth Collection, New York, acquired from Edna Bahr, Connecticut, late 1960s.