- 1228
A PAIR OF GILT-BRONZE ELEPHANT-HANDLE VASES SEAL MARKS AND PERIOD OF QIANLONG
Estimate
200,000 - 300,000 HKD
bidding is closed
Description
- gilt bronze
each finely cast with a pear-shaped body supported on a splayed foot, sweeping up to a waisted neck and flanged rim, set with two elephant head-handles, naturalistically detailed with broad ears and a looping trunk suspending a loose ring, inscribed to one side of the rim with a horizontal six-character seal mark within a recessed panel
Condition
The surface has been cleaned giving to the vases a golden patina as visible on the photo. There is some expected light surface pitting or occasional minute dents but overall the two vases are in good condition.
"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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
For the prototype of this pair of altar vessels, see a large Xuande gilt-bronze vase in the Qinghai Provincial Museum, cast with reign mark in Chinese characters and Tibetan script., recorded in a local stele as having been gifted by the Xuande Court to the Qutan Monastery in 1427, illustrated by Penglian Lu, 'Xuande Bronzes. A Legend Re-examined', Arts of Asia, November-December 2014, p. 92, fig. 4.
The current pair is one of a number of Qianlong altar vessels of similar form, but modified from the early Ming prototype by the replacement of cloud-shapd ring handles with elephant handles. For a closely related example, see a single vase sold at Christie's New York, 18-19 September 2014, lot 1075.