Bronze Mirror with Patterns of the Four Gods and Twelve Zodiac Signs

The four districts of this bronze mirror isolated by check and v-shaped patterns are respectively designed with the Four Gods, namely Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird and Black Tortoise. The center is the inscription of 40 regular-script characters. The outer area is respectively equipped with twelve zodiac signs that run fast in circles. This bronze mirror is thick and heavy in texture and presents a grayish white color due to the high tin content, which was made in the style of bronze mirrors of the Sui and Tang Dynasties.