Lot 1142. A bronze 'Lion and grapevine' mirror, Tang dynasty (618-907); 7 in. (17.7 cm.) diam. Estimate USD 8,000 - USD 12,000. Price Realised USD 47,500. © Christie's Image Ltd 2013

The back is cast in high relief in the center with a crouching animal-form loop surrounded by six animals crawling and leaping amidst fruiting grapevine encircled by a raised border and an outer field filled with birds, and animals racing amidst further grapevine below a band of scrolling tendrils at the rim. The bronze has a silvery grey patina and areas of malachite encrustation. 

Provenance: Raymond A. Bidwell (1876-1954) Collection.
The Springfield Museums, Springfield, Massachusetts, accessioned in 1962.

Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, 21 - 22 March 2013, New York, Rockefeller Plaza