Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, New York, 19 March 2008
An unusual bronze square mirror, Tang dynasty, 8th-9th century
Lot 502. An unusual bronze square mirror, Tang dynasty, 8th-9th century; 5 7/8 in. (14.8 cm.) square. Estimate USD 6,000 - USD 9,000. Price realised USD 6,250. © Christie's Image Ltd 2008.
One side cast with two confronted lions wildly leaping on either side of the central knop on a ground of tiny bosses within a raised outer border, the reverse plain, the silvery surface with areas of satiny black patina and green encrustation.
Provenance: Acquired at auction, London, 1980.
Note: Compare the mirror of this square shape with similar lion decoration, but with indented corners and a ring-matte ground, dated 8th-early 9th century, illustrated by Ju-hsi Chou, Circles of Reflection; The Carter Collection of Chinese Bronze Mirrors, The Cleveland Museum of Art, 2000, p. 79, no. 74.
