Page 254 - Bonhams Fine Chinese Art Nov 2013 Hong Kong

443
A rare pair of gold-splashed bronze ritual vessels, jia
Mid Qing dynasty
Each supported on three long spreading legs, the bulbous body rising to
a flaring trumpet neck, the rim with a pair of mushroom cap finials and a
‘C’-shaped mythical beast handle on one side, decorated with archaistic
taotie motifs within vertical flanges and upward leaf lappets, all reserved
on leiwen ground and splashes of gold, the base each with a series of
jinshu inscriptions.
29.8cm high. (2).
HK$600,000 - 800,000
US$77,000 - 100,000
清中期 銅灑金饕餮紋爵一對
Such later bronze vessels faithfully retain their original archaic bronze
form, however the Ming dynasty counterparts (as shown here by the
current lot) are somewhat exaggerated by stressing certain elements of
the archaistic and taotie motifs, as well as splashing with gold. Although
originally used as a wine drinking vessel, the current lot would have
embellished scholar studios offering the viewer a subtle allusion, a
gateway to experience the magnificent past.
Compare an example of a gold-splashed bronze jue, exhibited by the
Oriental Ceramic Society of Hong Kong and Fung Ping Shan Museum at
the University of Hong Kong (24 October 1986 - 13 December 1986),
illustrated in Arts from the Scholar’s Studio, Hong Kong, 2011, pp.184-
185, no.161.

252 | Bonhams