漢 銅鎏金銀神獸雲氣紋小壺

of compressed spherical form supported on three bear-form feet, the sides set with opposing loop handles suspending rings, finely gilt with a turtledove and beast amidst cloud scrolls forming the main register around the steeply rounded sides below a narrow gilt band, the neck decorated with a frieze of triangular motifs underneath another narrow gilt band, the cover surmounted with a ringed loop finial, decorated with gilt floral patterns, all outlined by engravings and reserved on a silver-gilt ground

1980年前日本收藏

The vessel and cover have been cleaned with traces of malachite encrustation. Rings on the side were originally part of a chain handle. Otherwise, the piece is in overall good condition.
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.

This rare miniature hu vessel exemplifies the highly skilled gilding and incising techniques developed in the Han dynasty. The rich ornamentation expresses a scene of the Daoist mystic realm populated with turtledoves and animals amidst cloud scrolls. The cloud scroll was an often used background pattern in the Han dynasty, which created the atmosphere of the Daoist land of immortality. In the Han dynasty, according to Fan Ye's History of the Later Han Dynasty (Hou Han shu li yiji), published in China in the fifth century, the turtledove was a symbol of longevity as it was known that the bird that would not choke. There are many surviving examples of Han bronze turtledove finials which were originally attached to the wangzhang, a rod given by the Emperor to people who were older than 70. The Daoist theme on this present vessel is further emphasized by its bear-form legs. The bear was another popular motif in Han iconography and often related to stories found in the Shanhaijing. A small Han bronze tripod vessel with incised decoration of slightly different form is illustrated in Ancient Chinese Bronzes, J.J. Lally & Co., 2011, no.10; compare also a gilt and incised incense burner in the Nanjing Museum illustrated in Zhongguo wenwu jinghua dacidian: qing tong juan (Grand Dictionary of Gems of Chinese Cultural Relics: Bronzes), Shanghai, 1995, p. 322, no. 1155.