Page 95 - Chinese Art Bonhams San Francisco December 19, 2017

PROPERTY FROM THE DR. SYLVAN AND FAITH GOLDER
COLLECTION
6338 6342
A GROUP OF THREE BRONZE ARCHAISTIC BELT HOOKS AN ARCHAISTIC CAST BRONZE BELL, ZHONG
The first of thin curving section terminating in a beast head; the The elliptical form bell cast to the swelling walls with two opposing
second of wide thin convex section displaying raised relief dragon vertical panels framing inscriptions reading da sheng and tai cu
and cloud decoration to the exterior; the third of stylized bird zhong sheng respectively, borders by rows of raised bosses and
shape inlaid in traces of malachite or other semi-precious stones or scrolling patterns that also covering the most remaining surfaces of
composition materials. the entire bell surmounted with an upright handle with a suspension
3 1/2in (9cm) length of first and longest loop.
13 3/4in (35cm) high
$600 - 800
$1,000 - 1,500
PROPERTY FROM VARIOUS OWNERS
6343
6339 A BRONZE GU-FORM VASE
A GROUP OF FIVE SMALL BRONZES Late Qing/Republic period
The first a sword decoration of chevron shape pierced by a Cast in raised relief with plantain leaf reserves rising on the exterior
rectangular aperture, the patina covered in green verdigris; the of the flared neck, projecting flanges separating stylized taotie mask
second a recumbent winged lion; the third likely a Japanese menuki bands on the central knob and spreading foot finished with a low
partially gilt to depict two monkeys sitting next to each other and recessed base, the patina of medium brown hue (wear from use).
extending humorously long arms; the fourth, a belt hook of curving 8 5/8in (22cm) high
section terminating in a bird head hook and reversed by a raised
circular nodule, partially covered in verdigris; the fifth, a taotie mask $800 - 1,200
supporting a loop or hook and reversed by a flange for attachment to
a now lost larger object. Provenance
3in (7.2cm) length of belt hook Roy Maxwell Talbot (1880-1963); thence by descent through his
family
$1,000 - 1,500
Roy Maxwell Talbot began his career in the Chinese Maritime
6340 Customs in 1908. He served as Commissioner of Customs
from 1935 until 1938, when he became Audit Secretary in the
TWO METAL DECORATIONS Inspectorate General’s Office. He was in that position until 1942.
The larger a bronze bell cast with a dragon-shaped suspension loop He served in Canton, Icheng, Nanking, Shanghai, Harbin, Swatow,
and the inscription yong cun zhen wan (a precious object to be kept Kongmoon, Aigun, Antung, Changsha, Amoy and Kunming. In July
forever) above a gourd vine in high relief; the smaller an iron stirrup 1932, Talbot was arrested by Japanese officials in Antung, Manchuria
with silver damascene decoration of shou medallions and bats in for refusing to hand over the Chinese customs revenues. In 1941 he
clouds on both sides of the reticulated crest (wear, corrosion). was held in the Bridge House, an infamous dungeon, for 42 days.
11 and 6 3/4in (28 and17cm) high Talbot’s detention by the Japanese created an international incident.
Newspapers around the world carried headlines of an arrest of an
$800 - 1,200 ‘American’ employed by the Chinese.
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TWO BRONZES A BRONZE HU-FORM VESSEL
The first a bronze tripod incense burner, the lobed sides raised to a Qing dynasty
waisted rim, supporting a pair of handles with a weave design, the Of flattened baluster form supporting opposing beast-head handles
underside with an apocryphal six-character Xuande mark (covered at the shoulder and covered in horizontal raised-relief bands of
with extensive verdigris); the second a Tang style mirror of flower- archaistic bird and repeating geometric patterns, together with a
head form, cast with two facing birds flanking a central domed loop metal alloy fitted interior sleeve for flower arranging. [2]
above a lotus, the metal of silver hue (brown and green encrustation). 12 1/4in (31cm) high
4 3/4in (12.1cm) width of censer
5 1/4in (13.3cm) diameter of mirror $1,500 - 2,000
$1,500 - 2,000

94 | BONHAMS