Lot 8085. A silvery bronze eight-lobed mirror with dragon decoration, Tang dynasty. Estimate US$ 7,000 - 9,000 (€6,400 - 8,300). Unsold. Photo Bonhams.

Cast in high relief with a raised edge framing a rampant three-clawed dragon striding amid clouds to chase a precious pearl that also forms the domical knob at the center, the surface of both sides encrusted with ferrous patina. 6 1/8in (15.5cm) diameter, 656g weight

Provenance: formerly Lally & Co., New York, the printed paper label on the reverse

Notes: For a Tang silver bronze mirror of comparable design and size, see Lian xing shen ye: ying zhi liang gong - Shanghai powuguan cang tongjing jingpin (Ancient Bronze Mirrors from the Shanghai Museum), 2005, no. 90 (15.6cm diameter and listed as 580g weight).

Bonhams. CHINESE, INDIAN AND HIMALAYAN WORKS OF ART AND PAINTINGS, 10 Dec 2015 10:00 PST - SAN FRANCISCO