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A RARE PAIR OF CLOSONNÉ ENAMEL ARCHAISTIC TRIPOD EWERS AND COVERS, HE
QIANLONG PERIOD (1736-1795)

The body of each vessel is divided into three lobes, each decorated with a large taotie mask in a diferent
color, pale green, red and blue, and positioned above and repeated at the top of each of the three tapering
legs. The masks are surrounded by various archaistic motifs continuing on the underside and below a band
of further archaistic designs on the shoulder set with the diagonally-set spout decorated with stripes and
leaves, and the C-scroll handle issuing from a dragon head, below bands of fower-flled petal lappets and
ruyi heads encircling the waisted neck. The domed covers have similar taotie masks below the gilded lotus
bud-form fnials.

16 in. (45.6 cm.) high (2)
$80,000-120,000

The inspiration for the shape and decoration of this very rare pair of cloisonné ewers can be found in
early bronze prototypes, such as the late Shang, 12th century BC example, sold at Christie’s New York,
21 September 2004, lot 149. (Fig. 1) The early bronze and later cloisonné interpretations share a similarly
lobed body spreading smoothly upward from the tapering legs, and the lobes are decorated with large
taotie masks. The similarities can also be seen in the handles and placement and shape of the spout. On
the domed covers of the present ewers, the domed-cap fnial has been replaced by a lotus bud.

Compare a nearly identical pair of cloisonné enamel he dated to the Qianlong period, previously in the
collection of Nathan Bushell, sold at Christie’s New York, 15 September 2009, lot 205.

清乾隆 掐絲琺瑯仿古饕餮紋盉一對

Fig. 1. Bronze ritual tripod wine vessel and cover, he, late Shang dynasty, 12th century BC, sold
Christie’s New York, 21 September 2004, lot 149.

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