TWO INLAID BRONZE BELT HOOKS EASTERN ZHOU DYNASTY

each similarly formed, the 'S'-curved body surmounted by a small tiger head with a long slender neck gracefully curving to a widening body with canted sides, one finely inlaid with turquoise forming a geometric pattern, the other finely inlaid with an overall design of finely chased and engraved volutes, the reverse set with a round button for attachment to a garment (2)

The first: The Osvald Siren Collection.
Natanael Wessen Collection.
The second: The Cunliffe Collection.

Jessica Rawson, The Bella and P.P. Chiu Collection of Ancient Chinese Bronzes, Hong Kong, 1988, nos. 43 and 44.
The first, Bernhard Karlgren and Jan Wirgin, Chinese Bronzes: The Natanael Wessen Collection, Stockholm, The Museum of Far Eastern Antiquites, 1969, pl. 65.
The second, Early Chinese Art, A Catalogue of the Early Bronzes, Jades and Allied Decorative Works of Art from the Cunliffe Collection, London, Bluett and Sons, Ltd. 1973, fig. 31 (left).

The first, with loss to the turquoise, gold and silvery inlay, the head repaired; the second with areas of loss to the gold inlay.
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.