Page 136 - Deydier The_Lippens_Collection_of_Ancient_Chinese_Bronzes

40 – bronze buffalo
END OF THE WESTERN ZHOU DYNASTY VERY BEGINNING
OF THE EASTERN ZHOU DYNASTY, 8 CENTURY B. C.
TH
H.: 14 CM L.: 27 CM
Rare bronze sculpture of a buffalo. The animal is shown standing
on four short legs, with its head turned to the right.
The body is decorated with a series of S-shaped motifs which at the
centre of each of the animal’s upper calves become a large spiral.
The creature’s short tail, in low relief, is curled.
The buffalo’s head, with an open mouth and thick, heavy lips, is
surmounted with two long curved horns in high relief.
The cylindrical tube cast into the creature’s back suggests that this
bronze buffalo was probably used as a base or stand for a large vessel.
The bronze animal has a nice brown patina.

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