- 480
A LARGE GILT-BRONZE AND CLOISONNE ENAMEL 'PHOENIX' ZUN 20TH CENTURY
Estimate
200,000 - 300,000 HKD
bidding is closed
Description
- bronze
- h. 36 cm, 14 1/8 in.
of archaic zoomorphic zun form, depicting a phoenix perched on an axle between a pair of rotatable wheels, further supported on a smaller stationary wheel inserted into the long curled tail of the bird and supporting on its back a trumpet-shaped vase
Exhibited
National Museum of Singapore, October 1982; July 1985 and December 1987, by repute.
Condition
The zun is in overall good condition. There is some typical oxidisation in areas and a few expected small dents to the edges of the wheels, all consistent with age.
"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 form of the present vessel derives from toys of the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220) which were made in ceramic and bronze and revived in the late-Ming period in bronze. An image of a child playing with a jiuche is seen on a Han dynasty stone relief excavated in 1973 from the tomb of Xu Aqu in Dongjiao District, Nanyang, Henan Province, now preserved in the Nanyang Museum of Decorated Bricks and Stones of Han Dynasty, Nanyang, published in Nanyang Faxian Donghan Xu Aqu Muzhi huaxiangshi [Discovery of Epitaph and Stone Relief from the Tomb of Xu Aqu of Eastern Han], Wen Wu [Cultural Relic], 1974, vol. 8, pl. 9, pp. 75.
See two Ming bronze examples, attributed to the 16th/17th century, in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, included in the Museum’s exhibition Through the Prism of the Past, Taipei, 2003, cat. nos III-42 and III-43. Such pieces appear to have found favour with the Qianlong Emperor and a variety was produced in cloisonné enamel as playthings during his reign. For the Qianlong prototype of the current example, see one in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, illustrated in Enamel Ware in the Ming and Ch’ing Dynasties, Taipei, 1999, pl. 70.
See two Ming bronze examples, attributed to the 16th/17th century, in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, included in the Museum’s exhibition Through the Prism of the Past, Taipei, 2003, cat. nos III-42 and III-43. Such pieces appear to have found favour with the Qianlong Emperor and a variety was produced in cloisonné enamel as playthings during his reign. For the Qianlong prototype of the current example, see one in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, illustrated in Enamel Ware in the Ming and Ch’ing Dynasties, Taipei, 1999, pl. 70.