A FINE AND RARE ARCHAISTIC GOLD AND SILVER-INLAID TRIPOD EWER AND COVER, HE MING DYNASTY

based on a Warring States prototype, the compressed spherical body raised on three supports formed by a bird above a crouching bear, decorated around the sides with bands of archaistic scrolls inlaid in silver on a leiwen ground, the spout in the form of a bird with spreading wings and surmounted with a recumbent rat, the openwork handle in the form of a mythical beast, the slightly domed cover, with a ring issuing from a taotie mask handle

Collection of Lady Ethel MacDonald and thence by descent within the family.

Lady Ethel MacDonald was married to Sir Claude Maxwell MacDonald GCMG GCVO KCB PC, who was appointed British minister to China in 1896. In 1900 in his military capacity, he led the defence of the foreign legations in which were under siege during the Boxer Rebellion. Lady MacDonald was a keen collector of Chinese art and travelled to China with her husband as a member of the Executive Committee of the Overseas Nursing Association.

There is a small area of restoration to the rim (2.5cm by 5mm), which corresponds with a 1cm by 7mm shallow chip to the interior. There is also a 1cm by 5mm area of loss to the base of the rim to the other side. There is an area of repair (2.5cm by 2cm) to the underside base of the spout and a 7mm by 3mm chip to one foot. It is possible that the handle may have been re-attached to the body at some point. There is some rubbing to the patina throughout the handle from use. There is some rubbing to areas of the silver and gold inlay throughout.
"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."

A he of this type, in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, is published in Rose Kerr, Later Chinese Bronzes, London, 1990, pl. 13, together with an illustration of a he included in the 1908 edition of the Xi Qing gu jian [Mirror of Antiques Prepared in the Xi Qing Hall], compiled in 1749; another was sold in our London rooms, 1st/2nd November 1984, lot 370; and a third, from the Chen Chi collection, was sold at Christie’s New York, 19th September 2006, lot 125. See also a ewer decorated with two bands in relief on the body, in the National Palace Museum, Beijing, included in the exhibition Through the Prism of the Past. Antiquarian Trends in Chinese Art of the 16th to 18th Century, Taipei, 2003, cat. no. III-02.