AN EXTREMELY RARE AND IMPORTANT JADE 'TWIN BIRD' STEM CUP WESTERN HAN DYNASTY | 西漢 玉雕朱雀紋高足盃

AN EXTREMELY RARE AND IMPORTANT JADE 'TWIN BIRD' STEM CUP

WESTERN HAN DYNASTY

西漢 玉雕朱雀紋高足盃

the cylindrical vessel tapering to a short waisted stem and splayed circular foot, the exterior skilfully worked with a pair of phoenix-like birds striding forward, each mythical bird portrayed crested and with a long tail, the body accentuated with scrollwork echoing the interlinked 'C'-scrolls on the ground of the frieze and the bands of T-shaped motifs, all above a border of stylised petal motifs above the foot

11.3 cm, 4 ⅜ in.