Lot 36
  • 36

Hache-poignard en Bronze, Qu Dynastie des Zhou Orientaux, époque Printemps-Automne

Estimate
12,000 - 15,000 EUR
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Description

  • Bronze
  • Long. 17 cm
la lame incurvée agrémentée d'une arête médiane, les bords soulignés des deux côtés d'un fin motif de cordelettes entrelacées, le nei en forme d'un félin, la gueule ouverte pourvue de quatre crocs, sous la mâchoire une barbiche présentant de fines stries, les oreilles dirigées en arrière et collées contre la tête, le corps porte des écailles accusées, la partie supérieure des pattes de devant ornée de spirales, les pattes de derrière pourvues d'un aileron en forme de tête d'oiseau, le quadrupède saisissant dans ses griffes un oiseau inversé, au bec crochu, l'oeil rond, la prunelle encerclée d'une zone à fond granuleux, un collier autour du cou, le corps couvert d'écailles striées, les ailes en partie ornées de fines stries formant des arcs brisés reproduisant des plumes et un serpent aux détails très finement incisés, couvert d'une couche verdâtre à la surface rugueuse avec des incrustations, D.W 33/105

Exhibited

Bronzes Chinois des Dynasties Tcheou, T'sin & Han, Musée de l’Orangerie, Paris, 1934, no. 71.

Literature

O. Janse, 'Le Style du Houai et ses Affinités. Notes à Propos de Quelques Objets de la Collection David-Weill', in Revue des Arts Asiatiques: Annales du Musée Guimet, vol. VIII (1934), pp. 159-183, pl. LI.4.
Georges Salles, Bronzes Chinois des Dynasties TcheouT'sin & Han, Paris, 1934, cat. no. 71 (not illustrated).

Condition

The x-ray reveals that a ca. 2.5x1cm large piece to the rim of the haft has been replaced. There is also a hairline crack visible to one side where the blade joins the head of the feline. The bronze surface has been polished, the bronze patinated to a vibrant reddish and green tone. The inventory number 35/105 is inscribed in white inside the haft. The colour of the bronze is a much darker, richer tone 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

Numerous dagger-axes were discovered and collected in the Huai valley areas of Anhui and Jiangsu by Orvar Karbeck and others. Many of them found their way into western collections. An almost identical bronze dagger axe cast with a tiger surmounting a bird and a snake and of the same size was included in the 1954 Venice exhibition of Chinese art, see Jean-Pierre Dubosc, Mostra d'Arte Cinese, Palazzo Ducale, Venice, 1954, cat. no. 102. Another example from the Stoclet Collection, is published in Otto Kuemmel, Joerg Truebner zum Gedaechtnis. Ergebnisse seiner Letzten Chinesischen Reisen, Berlin, 1929, pl. 24.