Page 211 - Bonhams May 8-9 2017 London Fine Asian Art

563

563 A similar excavated example, late Shang 564
A RARE ARCHAIC BRONZE ‘BIRD’ dynasty, was unearthed at Anyang, Henan A PAIR OF GILT BRONZE TAOTIE MASK
DAGGER, GE province in 1975, see Zhongguo Qingtongqi AND LOOSE RING HANDLES
Late Shang Dynasty, 12th-11th century BC Quanji 3. Shang 3, Beijing, 1997, p.204, Han Dynasty
Tapering gently from the guard towards a no.203; see also a similar dagger illustrated Each cast with protruding eyes and nose
pointed tip with a raised central ridge, the by W.P.Yetts, The George Eumorfopoulos beneath sweeping eye brows, small pointed
angular hilt at the end cast as an archaistic Collection, vol.I, London, 1940, p.68, pl.LXXII. ears and curving tufts of mane, twin horns
head of a bird, with Japanese box and cover. flanking a central pointed crest, a hook
27.6cm (10 7/8in) long (2). Compare also another dagger from the issuing from the broad, slightly open mouth,
C.H.Wang collection, illustrated in Shang suspending a loose ring.
£1,000 - 1,500 and Zhou Chinese Bronze Weaponry, Taipei, 6.5cm (2.5/8in) long. (4).
CNY8,700 - 13,000 HK$9,800 - 15,000 1993, pp.98-99, no.6.
£1,000 - 1,500
Provenance A pair of similar ‘bird’ daggers was sold at CNY8,700 - 13,000 HK$9,800 - 15,000
Yamanaka & Co., Kyoto Sotheby’s, Hong Kong, 5 April 2016, lot 2816;
A European private collection, acquired from another similar dagger was sold at Sotheby’s, Provenance
the above on 30 May 1965 Paris, 16 December 2015, lot 9. Sotheby’s, London, 12 December 1989.

564 ASIAN ART - DAY 2 | 209
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.