Lot 1405. A bronze circular 'phoenix' mirror, late Warring States period, 4th-3rd century BC. Estimate USD 7,000 - USD 9,000. Price realised USD 4,750 © Christie's Images Ltd 2012.

The back with a small central knob set within a concave square border, the four phoenixes that stand on the corners alternating with four small long-tailed birds, each standing on an angular scroll, all reserved on a ground of coiled scrolls and granular pattern arranged in a grid of diamond-shaped lozenges, with silvery grey patina and malachite encrustation with traces of fabric impression on the reverse - 4 7/8 in. (12.5 cm.) diam., 1/16 in. (.2 cm.) thick, box - 144.5g 

Provenance: Robert H. Ellsworth Collection, New York, acquired from Alice Boney in Japan, 1960s. 

Note: A similar mirror of slightly smaller size (11.2 cm.) found in Chengdu, Sichuan province, is illustrated in Ancient Bronze Mirrors from the Shanghai Museum, Shanghai, 2005, pp. 114-5, no. 22. Another from the collection of His Majesty King Gustav VI Adolf is illustrated by B. Karlgren, "Early Chinese Mirrors: Classification Scheme Recapitulated," BMFEA, Stockholm, 1968, No. 40, pl. 46 (D 38).   

Christie's. Luminous Perfection: Fine Chinese Mirrors from the Robert H. Ellsworth Collection, 22 March 2012, New York, Rockefeller Center