Page 238 - Bonhams Fine Chinese Art Nov 2013 Hong Kong

425 The imagery of the water buffalo as in the current lot most probably
A parcel-gilt bronze recumbent ‘water buffalo’ vase originated from Song and Yuan dynasty small bronze water buffalo
Ming dynasty objects, such as water droppers. Even during this period, where the
With muscular hind legs with tail swept left, the recumbent beast with imagery of reclining ox or buffalo were already hugely popular bronze
outstretched front legs, its elongated neck turned backwards with head subjects, they were carefully cast to achieve smooth and tactile surfaces.
raised, its nostrils pierced with an iron needle with a rope fastened and The current lot has progressed from smaller bronze functional objects
tied to its pair of curled horns, the back supporting a gu vase an archaic of the earlier periods, the Chinese foundries creating larger and more
vessel flaring at the rim, the body decorated with elaborate taotie motif, aesthetic pieces by improving casting techniques during the Ming
the hooves, tail, horns and taotie details picked out in gold. dynasty. The current lot also differs from the traditional undecorated
19.5cm high. (2). recumbent animals, but is instead surmounted by an archaistic gu, which
HK$150,000 - 250,000 represents the fang gu or ‘reminiscing the past’ style which was hugely
US$19,000 - 32,000 popular during the Ming and Qing dynasty.

明 銅局部鎏金牛犠尊

Provenance 來源：
A French private collection

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