An important bronze 'Zodiac' mirror with inscription, Sui dynasty. Estimation  50,000 — 70,000 USD. Photo Sotheby's.

of circular form, the central knob surrounded by a dragon and the 'animals of the four directions', the dragon representing the east, the phoenix representing the south, the tiger the west, and the snake-encoiled turtle the north, further surrounded by an inscription in kaishu, encircled with a band of the twelve zodiac animals. Diameter 8 1/2  in., 21.5 cm

Provenance: Private Asian collection, circa 1980-90, by repute. 

Literature: Uragami Sokyu-do, Co., Ltd., Bronze Mirrors from Sui to Tang Dynasty, Tokyo, 10th November 2010, cat. no. 1.

Notes:  Translation of the inscription:

The immortal peaks rise as twins, the wise river now has a rival.
Morning flowers are made bright and charming, at night, its light reflects the moon.
The dragon coils around the jade disc, a pair of fabulous birds dances in harmony.
It is said the Renshou era (601-4) was when the war began to end.

Sotheby's. Inscriptions: History as Art New York, 17 mars 2015, 01:30 PM