YUAN: bronze mirror (248.21g), 93mm, lion, tiger and various animals around center button, surrounded by inscriptions in clerical script: qing gài zuò jìng zì yôu jì, pì qù bù yáng (xiáng) yì gû shì, cháng bâo èr qin lì zî sun, wéi lì gao guan shòu mìng jiû (a formulaic commercial slogan common during the Han dynasty, which proclaims that this bronze mirror is of fine quality, will ward off misfortune, improve business, protect one's parents and children, and bless one with high office and long life); a few incised characters on rim, corrosion on mirror side with some original surface intact, faint natural crack extending inward from edge, glossy dark patina, VF. This mirror was discovered in Afghanistan and acquired by the consignor in the US in 1985. A very similar example was excavated from the burial complex of the Wang clan, a prominent Sinicized Ongud family during the Yuan (Mongol) dynasty, in Zhang County, Gansu Province, in western China (Wénwù p. 10, vol. 2, 1982). Its relatively crude style and small size suggests a Song/Yuan imitation of a popular Han archetype. Given its proximity to the Silk Road, it is very likely that this mirror was brought westward along the trade route to its location of discovery.
Estimate: USD 250 - 350