明十六 / 十七世紀 銅錯金銀犧尊

finely cast after the archaic bronze wine vessel, the beast standing four square with head raised and ears pricked, the mouth slightly open and pierced below a curled snout, bearing a collar encircling the neck, the sides and haunches cast with scrolls and swirling patterns in low relief, with the long tapered tail swept to the side below a hinged circular cover, profusely decorated all over with archaistic motifs in silver inlay and gilt, the bronze with an enhanced greenish-brown patina with patches of malachite-green encrustation

Sydney L. Moss，倫敦，2000年

《Escape from the Dusty World》，Sydney L. Moss，倫敦，1999年，編號113

There are occasional small losses to the inlay, such as one to the tip of the animal's nose. Otherwise, the vessel is in overall good condition with surface wear, dents, and accretions, as can be expected. Some minor casting imperfections, most noticeable to the underside. The feet with circular felt pads.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The shape and inlaid decoration of this vessel are based on ancient prototypes from the Warring States period, 5th-3rd century B.C., such as one example in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, illustrated in Special Exhibition of Shang and Chou Dynasty Bronze Wine vessels, National Palace Museum, Taipei, 1989, cat. no. 66.

Later archaistic vessels of this form have historically been dated broadly to the Song to Ming dynasties, with a number attributed to the Yuan dynasty, such as one included in the exhibition Through the Prism of the Past. Antiquarian Trends in Chinese Art of the 16th to 18th Century, National Palace Museum, Taipei, 2008, cat. no. III-55. A slightly smaller vessel, similarly cast and inlaid is illustrated in Philip K. Hu, Later Chinese Bronzes. The Saint Louis Museum and Robert E. Kresko Collections, Saint Louis, 2008, pl. 6, where the author notes that the addition of low and medium cast relief patterns suggests a Ming dynasty manufacture. See also another similar example, acquired by Henri Cernuschi in 1896, attributed to the 16th to early 17th century, in the exhibition Bronzes de la Chine impériale des Song aux Qing, Musée Cernuschi, Paris, 2013, cat. no. 42.