A SILVERY BRONZE ‘MYTHICAL BEAST’ MIRRORChina, Han Dynasty (206 BC to 220 AD). The circular mirror with a central domed knob surrounded by four bosses interspersed with two kneeling figures and mythical creatures, framed by raised geometric borders.Condition: Fine condition, commensurate with age, extensive wear, weathering, corrosion, nicks, losses. Superb, naturally grown patina with extensive malachite and cuprite encrustations. Provenance: Collection of Dr. Walter Rieder (1890-1986), thence by descent. Old inventory labels ‘RIE.1976.259’ and ‘2’ to the mirror. Dr. Walter Rieder served in the Swiss East Asia Mission (SOAM) in Qingdao, Shandong Province, between October 1930 and December 1951. The mission specialized in educational, literary, and philanthropic work and Dr. Rieder was in fact, not a theologian or missionary, but a teacher of mathematics, physics, and science to high school students attached to the SOAM. His guiding principles were 'Creating understanding between different cultures' and 'Building bridges between East and West'. While in Qingdao, Dr. Rieder collected a wide variety of Chinese art. The objects in the collection thus offer a unique window into the type of antiques that were on the market in Qingdao in the second quarter of the 20th century. As well as demonstrating his passion for Chinese art, his collection also reveals the personal friendships Dr. Rieder forged with local artists, some of whom he knew from his teaching activities. Dr. Rieder had a scholarly approach to studying his collection. Alongside many of his objects, meticulous notes can sometimes be found detailing his art historical commentaries. The collection was hence Dr. Rieder's gateway to the history and culture of China. Objects from the collection were exhibited at the Kunsthaus in Interlaken, Switzerland in 2006 and 2018.Weight: 321 gDimensions: Diameter 13.1 cmWith a padded box. (2)Auction result comparison:Compare a related bronze ‘Tigers and dragons’ mirror, Han dynasty (206 BC- 220 AD), sold at Christie’s Hong Kong in Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art on 30 November 2011, lot 3350, for HKD 87,500.