- 3
Paire de Garnitures de Hampe Zoomorphes en Bronze Mongolie-Intérieure, Ordos, IVE-IIIE siècle avant J.-C.
Estimate
20,000 - 30,000 EUR
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Description
- Bronze
- Long. 35,4 cm
chacune en forme de tête d'oiseau très allongée au bout d'un cou vertébré parcouru d'écailles fortement accusées, les yeux protubérants, le long bec facetté, dans sa partie supérieure légèrement recourbé et entrouvert, couverte d'une patine verte, D.W 35/55-1 et 35/55-2 (2)
Provenance
Discovered at Anyang, Henan (according to David-Weill's notes).
Condition
Both finials are in overall very good condition. They are heavily cast and covered with a greenish-brown patina. There are traces of earth in some of the recessed areas. There is a ca. 1cm long hairline crack to one side of the beak on one of the bird head finials. The inventory numbers are inscribed in black on the inside of the finial.
"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
The present pair of impressive bronze staff finials is highly unusual not only in their size but also in their design. Acquired in 1935 by David-Weill, they were reputedly discovered at Anyang, site of the late Shang capital at Yinxu (ca. 1300-1046 BC). However, David-Weill himself attributed these two finials to the much later Ordos culture of the Eurasian steppes, yet large bronze fittings such as the present pair are extremely rare among Ordos bronzes.
Two related yet smaller bronze bird-head fittings were included in an exhibition held at the Tokyo National Museum, compare Mounted Nomads of Asian Steppe: Chinese Northern Bronzes, Tokyo National Museum, 1997, cat. no. 200, a bronze bird head excavated at Shihuigou, Ih Ju Meng, Inner Mongolia; and cat. no. 206, now in the collection of the Centre for Middle and Near Eastern Cultures, Tokyo. Both pieces are dated to the 4th/3rd century BC.
Two related yet smaller bronze bird-head fittings were included in an exhibition held at the Tokyo National Museum, compare Mounted Nomads of Asian Steppe: Chinese Northern Bronzes, Tokyo National Museum, 1997, cat. no. 200, a bronze bird head excavated at Shihuigou, Ih Ju Meng, Inner Mongolia; and cat. no. 206, now in the collection of the Centre for Middle and Near Eastern Cultures, Tokyo. Both pieces are dated to the 4th/3rd century BC.