Page 193 - China's Renaissance in Bronze, The Robert H.CIague Collection of Later Chinese Bronzes 1100-1900

just below the leiwen ornamented lip. The pewter lining conceals the joins
from view on the interior and perhaps also acts as a binder, reinforcing the
joins and helping to keep all parts together. The reign mark on the base
was chiseled and the decoration was entirely cold worked with a hammer
and a variety of implements, as indicated by the marks along the sides of
the low-relief elements. 8 In addition to enhancing the legibility of the deco-
rative motifs, the lightly textured grounds conceal the chisel marks and
other evidence of cold working. In sum, this covered box imitates not only
the style of carved lacquer but something of its techniques of decoration as
well; as a result, the box captures the crispness of carved lacquer designs.

T H E R O B E R T II. C L A G U E C O L L E C T I O N 2 2 1