A fine 'lion and grapevine' mirror"

Description:

China, Tang dynasty
D. 14 cm
The central boss cast as a snarling lion surrounded by tour similar lions and two exotic birds on a ground of fruiting vines, the outer border with dragonfhes, butterflies and birds among grapes and leaves, the bronze with a dark gun-metal patina.
From an important German private collection, acquired at Christie's London, 7 June 1993, lot 93 (request, condition report and catalogue entry from Christie's preserved in copy)
A similar example is illustrated in M. Rupert and O. Todd, Chinese Bronze Mirrors, plate 14, XIV, no. 113; see also Swallow, 'Ancient Chinese Bronzes', plate 19; M. Fedderson, 'Chinese Decorative Art', p. 160, fig. 149; P. Yetts, 'The Cull Bronzes' plate no. XXXIII, no. 30; and J. Rawson and E. Bunker, 'Ancient Chinese and Ordos Bronzes', p. 262, no. 182 - Minimal traces of age