A bronze 'Mythical Beasts' mirror with inscription, Sui-Early Tang dynasty. Estimation 7,000 — 9,000 USD. Photo Sotheby's.

cast with a hemispherical knob encircled by four mythical beasts, the outer field cast with an inscription inkaishu, all within narrow dogtooth borders. Diameter 4 3/4  in., 12 cm

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

Notes:  Translation of the inscription: 

Gladly have I obtained the mirror of the King of Qin, for which I would not have grudged a thousand crowns.  It is not my wish that the mirror shall serve the purpose of revealing the gall bladder, but that I may reveal myself by holding this to illustrate my own clear conscience .

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