"Alchemical" Mirror

An "alchemical" mirror, the design laid-out from a central square with flayed beast, then four scenes of fantastic creatures including dragons, a phoenix and a tortoise battling a snake-like being. Encircled by an inscription in Chinese characters and again by depictions of the twelve calendrical animals.
Sui-era. China.
Diameter: 20.7 cm.
Thickness: 0.8 cm.
CM023