Page 33 - Chinese works of art and paintings, March 19 Bonhams

8032
A GILT BRONZE ESCUTCHEON, PUSHOU
Northern Wei-Northern Qi Dynasty Provenance
Cast in near symmetry, the zoomorphic mask framed by tall, thin ears J.J Lally & Co., New York, October 2008
flanking meandering horns above bulging eyes and a leaf-shaped
ornament above the forehead, the snout with flaring nostrils, and an Intended to bear a pendant ring, this gilt bronze mask (pushou 鋪
open mouth displaying curling fangs, the bronze gilded with areas 首) would have been secured on the outer door of a palace or noble
of green patina, the mask punched with three holes to facilitate residence. Perhaps first appearing on the doors of the Xianyang
hanging. palace of the Qin dynasty, pushou were frequently used on the inner
6 1/4in (15.5cm) high chambers of tombs in the Han dynasty. The fierce visage is likely
derived from the taotie mask motifs used on archaic bronze vessels,
$15,000 - 25,000 and with its bulging eyes, flaring nostrils, and hooked fangs intended
to ward off evil spirits as well as unwelcome intruders. A similar
北魏至北齊 銅鎏金鋪首 pushou dated to the Northern Wei Dynasty is in the collection of the
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, accession number 1986.243. See
also a closely related bronze mask, part of the Falk collection, sold
Christie’s, New York, 20 September 2001, lot 183.

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