A CIRCULAR BRONZE MIRROR, TANG DYNASTY
China, 618-907. Boldly cast in high relief with five feline creatures chasing each other, each showing a different expression, around the central boss in the form of a crouching beast with the mouth wide open in a roar, revealing its tongue, all enclosed by a double-triangle border.

Provenance: From the Private Collection of a Gentleman in the United Kingdom, acquired by the owner's father and thence by descent.
Condition: Excellent condition, commensurate with age. Old wear and few minuscule nicks and dents. Fine, naturally grown patina, with distinct malachite and soil encrustations as well as small areas of cuprite.

Weight: 369.0 g
Dimensions: Diameter 11.6 cm

Auction result comparison: Compare a related silver-backed mirror, also dated to the Tang dynasty and with feline creatures chasing each other around a central crouching-beast boss, at Sotheby's London in Masterpieces Of Chinese Precious Metalwork, Early Gold And Silver; Early Chinese White, Green And Black Wares on 14 May 2008, lot 61, sold for GBP 60,500.

唐代神獸紋銅鏡
中國，618-907年。銅鏡背面五隻神獸互相追逐，表情各不相同，中央鏡鈕，呈蹲伏的獸形，做張嘴咆哮狀，吐舌，邊緣三角形紋。

來源：英國一位紳士私人收藏，其父親購得并保存至現任持有人。
品相：狀況極好，與年代相符。舊時磨損，微小的刻痕和凹痕。自然生長的包漿，孔雀石綠色和赤色結殼。

重量：369.0 克
尺寸：直徑 11.6 厘米

拍賣結果比較：一件唐代相似紋飾的銀背鏡，見倫敦蘇富比 Masterpieces Of Chinese Precious Metalwork, Early Gold And Silver; Early Chinese White, Green And Black Wares 2008年5月14日 lot 61, 售價GBP 60,500。