TANG DYNASTY

The octalobed mirror decorated with a domed knob encircled by two recumbent beasts and two birds amidst foliate vines, the outer field further embellish with floral sprigs in each of the lobed field, the patina of a mottled green.

Compare with a closely related mirror with a similar decorative motif from the Anthony & Susan Hardy Collections, illustrated in The Glorious Traditions of Chinese Bronzes, Asian civilization Museum, Singapore, pl.105, pp.230-231. See also another octalobed bronze phoenix and qilin mirror from the David H. Graham Jr. Collection, illustrated in Bronze mirrors from ancient China, Cat no.92 (M61), pp. 244-245.

L 21 cm