Page 45 - Later Chinese Bronzes from the Collection of Ulrich-Hk 2014

CATALOGUE NOTE

Many different examples of champion vases are known in jade and bronze, some of which ingeniously incorporate
archaic relics such as chariot fittings, thus creating a demonstrable link to the revered past. Many of these champion
vases have inlaid decoration, but the present example relies entirely on the fine surface treatment and the natural
patination combined with artificial encrustations for its aesthetic impact.

For another Song to early Ming dynasty gold and silver-inlaid champion vase, see Paul Moss and Gerard Hawthorn,
The Second Bronze Age. Later Chinese Metalwork. Sydney Moss Ltd., London, 1991, cat. no. 35, where the authors
point out that the term ‘champion vase’ (‘ying xiong’) is almost certainly a post-Han term referring to the two animals:
the falcon ('ying') and the bear ('xiong'). Compare also the champion vase from the Salting Bequest in the Victoria and
Albert Museum, London, illustrated by Rose Kerr, Later Chinese Bronzes, London, 1990, cat. no. 57.

Fig. 1

After: Xiqing Gujian, Catalogue of Chinese Ritual Bronzes in the
Collection of the Qianlong Emperor