晚明 銅錯銀饕餮紋簋式爐

of archaistic gui form, the gently rounded body supported on a straight foot cast with two ring handles issuing from stylised taotie, decorated with an inlaid silver design, the neck with a band of stylised kui dragons, all above two rectangular friezes of taotie masks encircling the body, the mouthrim bordered with a key-fret border, the foot with archaistic scroll motifs, wood stand

minor dents and scratches to the surface, but 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. 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."

The finesse and style of the archaistic silver inlay bears a certain resemblance to the work of Shisou. The present example, however, is more organic in feel and more in keeping with other known Ming metalwork. Particularly noticeable is the difference in colouring. The present example exhibits a pleasant warm tone which contrasts with the cooler coloured silver inlay, whereas much of the Shisou work exhibits a harsher gun-metal grey tone. Reducing the inlay to silver alone is, however, rare to find outside the work of Shisou. Whether the present example was the work of an entirely different workshop, or whether it was a predecessor of the Shisou school of inlay is yet to be established.