Page 327 - Bonhams Fine Chinese Art Nov 2013 Hong Kong

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Twenty-five archaic bronze crossbow bolts A reticulated archaic bronze altar vessel and cover, gui

Eastern Zhou dynasty Eastern Zhou dynasty, Chu culture

Comprising: eighteen regular bolts with two vertical flanges ending in Cast on a square platform supported on a pierced trefoil ground,

sharpened points, the double pierced head for lighter and longer flight; surmounted by the ritualistic vessel with splayed feet decorated with
scrolling chi dragon design, up towards a spherical cup and cover in
five armour-piercing bolts with triple vertical flanges; and two rhomboid
reticulated basket weave design with four animalistic mask ring handles
bolts converging to a pointed tip; all bolt-heads at the end of a metal
at the compass points, the cover with a bird finial.
shaft. 21.7cm high. (2).
The longest 26.5cm long. (25). HK$60,000 - 80,000
HK$10,000 - 15,000 US$7,700 - 10,000
US$1,300 - 1,900

東周 銅鏃二十五支 東周 楚文化 青銅鏤空四環豆

This selection of crossbow bolts are separated into groups of different
styles. One style consist of two triangular blades with a sharp-end corner
bisected with two perforations at the wings, with excavated examples
unearthed at Siyancun, Xiejiagou, Suide county, Shaanxi province in
1983, in the Suide County Museum, Shaanxi province, illustrated in
Bronzes from Northern Shaanxi. Volume IV, Chengdu, 2009, p.649,
accession no.TD114-1. The other style is formed of three narrow
triangular blades cast onto a conical base, with excavated examples
in the Cultural Relics Administration of Jia County, Shaanxi province,
illustrated in Bronzes from Northern Shaanxi. Volume IV, Chengdu,
2009, p.659, accession no.JX256-6.

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