Lot 3302
  • 3302

A LARGE BRONZE DRAGON-HANDLED VASE, HU YUAN / EARLY MING DYNASTY

Estimate
40,000 - 60,000 HKD
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Description

  • bronze
cast with a pear-shaped body rising to a waisted neck and galleried everted rim, all supported on a splayed foot, the neck bordered with a broad band enclosing a leiwen field and flanked by a pair of loop handles in the form of dragons, the foot detailed with a wave-pattern ground, the smooth surface patinated to a warm coppery-brown colour

Provenance

Peter Kemp Antiques, London, 1980s.

Condition

minor surface wear and oxidisation. Plugs from original casting visible on the underside
"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

Close examination of the surface of the vase suggests that the handles never had rings. There is no obvious mark recognisable in the patination of the main body of the vase, which would have been the case had rings once been present. Ulrich Hausmann's conclusion is that it was possible to order these vessels, with or without rings - the latter design chosen to avoid the vessel looking like a temple arrangement, where rings were a standard feature. Another slightly larger bronze handled vase of similar hu form, also without rings, is in the British Museum, dated Yuan / Song dynasty, registration no.1990,0528.1.

For additional information about bronze flower vessels, see the section Ulrich Hausmann writes in the introduction to this catalogue, where he quotes from the Ming Dynasty scholar Zhang Deqian (circa 1600):

"Copper is preferred to gold and silver to avoid suggestion of opulence and vases with earrings should be avoided, as also a symmetrical arrangement in pairs, to avoid their looking as if on a temple altar".