A PARCEL-GILT BRONZE AND CLOISONNE ENAMEL ZHADOU MING DYNASTY, 16TH CENTURY

the compressed globular body rising to a wide trumpet mouth, enameled around the body with lotus blooms borne on delicate leafy stems above a band of lappet leaves with a floral scroll border at the foot, the neck enameled with four mythical beasts in pursuit of brocade balls, the interior of the neck with four striding mythical horses above turbulent waves, mounted with a gilt-metal band at the rim, three animal-mask handles suspending loose rings at the shoulder, the foot with a stepped base supported by three crouching winged chimera, an incised double vajra to the base

One handle is flanked by two areas of repair each approximately 3 cm long, and another handle has an approximately 4.5 cm long area of repair to its right. One of the chimera-form feet is loose. There is wear to the gilding as well as the expected pitting, signs of wear and staining to the surface.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

A number of Yuan and Ming dynasty cloisonné enamel vessels were later embellished or adapted during the Qing dynasty. A zhadou in the Palace Museum, Beijing, bearing similar registers of design to the present lot is also supported on three later-added winged chimera and applied with animal-mask handles to the shoulders, see The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Metal-bodied Enamel Ware, Hong Kong, 2002, pl. 39. A zhadou in the Musée des Arts Decoratifs in Paris enameled with the same design and most recently dated to the mid-16th century was included in the exhibition Cloisonné: Chinese Enamels from the Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties, Bard Graduate Center, New York, 2011, cat. no. 43. The design also appears on cloisonné enamel bowls of the same period, such as one illustrated in Sir Harry Garner, Chinese and Japanese Cloisonné Enamels, London, 1962, pl. 31B.