明 銅錦紋小投壺

with a compressed globular body surmounted by a tall cylindrical neck decorated with a wide diaper band flanked by tubular handles just below the mouthrim, the handles cast with cicada lappets, the body cast with a band of diamonds incorporating scrolls and dots, all supported on a foot ringed by a classic scroll

A line drawing of a vase similar to the present lot is illustrated in the Ming dynasty encyclopedia Sancai Tuhui (1607), and reproduced in Hugh Moss and Gerard Tsang, Arts from the Scholar's Studio, Fung Ping Shan Museum, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 1986, cat. no. 264, fig. 1.