Page 213 - Bonhams Asian Art May 15-16 2023

576
A BRONZE VASE
Xuande six-character mark, Qing Dynasty
Of pear-shaped form, supported on a high
flared foot and rising to an everted rim,
modelled in high relief on either side with
a coiled chi dragon, the shoulders set with
elephant head handles.
22cm (8 5/8in) high

£1,000 - 1,500
HK$9,700 - 15,000
CNY8,500 - 13,000

577 *
TWO BRASS FAN-SHAPED TEMPLE
STANDARDS
Dated 23rd year of Guangxu, 1898
One fan shaped dragon-head fitting with
openwork decoration of facing dragons
chasing the flaming pearl and Buddhist lion
framed by peony scroll and inscribed Lie
Sheng Temple, the other with incised dragon
and phoenix against leafy and blossoms
ground, inscribed San Zha Tang Li, together
with two lacquered wood supporting poles.
The largest standard: 70.5cm (27 3/4in) high.
The poles: 200.5cm (79in) high (4).
£1,500 - 2,000
HK$15,000 - 19,000 577
CNY13,000 - 17,000
578
A LARGE BRONZE ‘ARROW’ VASE,
TOUHU
Ming Dynasty
The compressed globular body cast with four
archaistic taotie masks each separated by a
flange, the shoulder with two open-mouthed
Buddhist lions, all raised on a spreading foot,
the tall slender neck with two applied writhing
chilong beneath the mouth with two cylinders
attached joint with the same band decoration
of taotie masks on a leiwen ground. 50.8cm
(20in) high
£4,000 - 6,000
HK$39,000 - 58,000
CNY34,000 - 51,000
Provenance
An English private collection acquired in the
early 20th century and thence by descent.

This type of vases were designed for the
ancient Chinese game of touhu, or ‘arrow
throwing’, which would form part of the
entertainment at banquets and is mentioned
in early classical texts such as the Chunqiu
Zuo Zhuan. Contestants would aim feathered
arrows at the various cylinders applied to the
vase, with higher points awarded for the less
accessible openings. The loser was made to
drink wine, leading to increased inebriation
and diminished throwing accuracy.
578

For details of the charges payable in addition to the final Hammer Price of each Lot
please refer to paragraphs 7 & 8 of the Notice to Bidders at the back of the catalogue. ASIAN ART - PART II | 211