Page 75 - 2021 March 18th Junkunc Collection Christie's New York City

The Junkunc inlaid bronze hu claims amongst the most impressive of pedigrees. By 1749 it was
in the Qing Imperial collection, having been collected by the Qianlong Emperor (r. 1736-1795).
Like his predecessors, Qianlong was a great admirer and passionate collector of antiques; indeed,
he personally added more works to the imperial collections than any of his forebears. Following
in the footsteps of the Northern Song Emperor Huizong (r. 1101-1125), Qianlong commissioned
illustrated catalogues of specific categories of his collection. These included the Shiqu baoji
(Shiqu Catalogue of the Imperial Collections); Midian zhulin (Court Collection of Treasures), and
the Tianlu lin lang (Tianlu Collection of Masterpieces), and the 40-volume catalogue of his ancient
Chinese bronzes, the Xiqing gujian (Mirror of Antiquities [prepared in the] Xiqing [Southern Study
Hall]). Compiled from 1749-1755, this catalogue was produced by the Imperial Printing Office
in the Wuyingdian (Hall of Martial Valor). The Junkunc inlaid bronze hu is documented in this
catalogue in vol. 8, p. 36. (Fig. 1)
The Junkunc bronze hu finds its inspiration in ancient bronze vessels of the Spring and Autumn
period (770-476 BC), such as the late Spring and Autumn, late 6th-early 5th century BC, bronze
hu sold at Christie’s New York, 13 September 2019, lot 809. (Fig. 2) Like the late Spring and
Autumn hu, the Junkunc vessel features raised bands imitating braided rope and is flanked on
the shoulders by a pair of taotie masks. The silver and gold-inlaid designs on the Junkunc vessel
represent free interpretations of ancient dragon scroll designs and other decorative motifs that
embellished the surfaces of early bronzes.

Fig 2. A bronze hu, late Spring and Autumn period, late 6th-early 5th century BC,
sold at Christie’s New York, 13 September 2019, lot 809.
圖二：春秋晚期（公元前六世紀末至五世紀初）青銅繩絡紋壺，於2019年9月13日在紐約佳士得售出，
拍品號809。

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