Lot 28
  • 28

Important Ornement de Char en Bronze Début de la Dynastie des Zhou Occidentaux, XIE-XE avant J.-C.

Estimate
40,000 - 60,000 EUR
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Description

  • Bronze
  • Haut. 21 cm
formé d'un tube de section ovale se terminant en pointe, percé d'une petite ouverture en forme de losange, sculpté en bas-relief de deux dragons sinueux affrontés formant un masque de taotie, surmonté d'une partie rectangulaire allant en s'élargissant, orné de la même façon d'un masque de taotie aux yeux protubérants, coiffé de hautes cornes largement développées, recouvert d'une patine vert clair rehaussée d'incrustations de couleur rouille, D.W 37/16

Exhibited

Mostra d'Arte Cinese, Palazzo Ducale, Venice, 1954. no. 57.

Literature

Jean-Pierre Dubosc, Mostra d'Arte Cinese, Venice, 1954. cat. no. 57.
Daisy Lion-Goldschmidt and Jean-Claude Moreau-Gobard, Chinese Art: Bronzes, Jades, Sculpture, Ceramics, Oxford, 1980 (reprint), cat. no. 32.

Condition

The x-ray shows that the fitting is in very good overall fitting. It is heavily and crisply cast, the surface covered with a light green patina, with some traces of earth in the recessed parts of the design. There are small patches where the patina has come off revealing the lustrous black bronze surface beneath. The inventory number D.W. 37.16 is inscribed in white inside the neck of the fitting. The patina is a slightly darker bluish-green than the catalogue illustration suggests.
"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

A line drawing showing where the fitting was positioned on the axle tree between the body and wheel of the chariot, is published in Kaogu, 1980.4, p. 362, fig. 3, p. 363, fig. 5 and p. 363, fig. 6. 

The companion piece to this very elaborately cast and decorated bronze axle fitting reputed to have been found at Xun county southeast of Anyang, Henan, and formerly in the Collections of Sir Neill Malcolm, London, and the British Rail Pension Fund, was sold at Sotheby's London, 12th December 1989, lot 10. Another companion piece to the present axle fitting from the Oscar Raphael Collection, London, is illustrated in the Catalogue of the International Exhibition if Chinese Art, London, 1935-1936, cat. no. 265. Like David David-Weill, Oscar Raphael was part of the the small group of western collectors who purchased from Orvar Karlbeck archaic bronzes sourced in China.