A RARE SET OF FOUR SILVER-INLAID GILT-BRONZE 'WEIGHTS HAN DYNASTY

each in the form of a recumbent tiger on a circular base, the beast with head raised and all four paws in evidence, the tail curled up between its hind legs and resting against the flank, the beasts stripes naturalistically rendered with inlaid silver, traces of gilding

This rare set of weights are in good overall condition with the exception of loss to the lower edge of one base (2.5 and 3cm. wide), two of the weights have small holes (3mm. diam and 1 and 6mm., diam.) to the backs of the beasts which would appear to be caused by corrosion due to burial, small nicks and nibbles to the extremities, all have been cleaned on the exterior with some detremental effect to the silver-inlaid stripes, the interiors of each have a relatively even patination of malachite encrustation.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

It is rare to find four weights that appear to form a set. Two gilt and silvered bronze figures of tigers, excavated at Xiaobaiyancun, Xi'an, Shaanxi province, are illustrated in Kunstschatze aus China, Zurich, 1980, pl. 31, where it is noted that such figures were used in tombs as weights for the four corners of a shroud or in daily life as mat weights. Such weights are more frequently set on a flat circular base, compare four tiger-form examples illustrated in Ancient  Chinese Arts in the Idemitsu Collection, Tokyo, 1989, pl. 240, together with another figure of a coiled tiger, pl. 236. 

Tiger form weights have also been sold at auction; see one from the Ellsworth collection sold in our New York rooms, 19th March 2002, lot 116; another silver inlaid piece sold at Christie's New York, 2nd December 1985, lot 87; and one from the Montague Meyer collection sold at Christie's London, 14th April 1980, lot 76.   

Weights of this type can also be found in the form of a coiled qilin biting its haunches, such as the piece from the H.K. Burnet collection sold in these rooms, 2nd April 1941, lot 341.