Page 57 - Chinese Works of Art Bonhams Sept 2015

8064 (two views)

8064
A GOLD AND SILVER-INLAID BRONZE ORNAMENT
Warring States period
Delicately cast as a frog crouching with four legs splayed and raised
head and grinning mouth, the body inlaid with silver on the shoulders
and haunches and stylized gold scroll and dot details on legs and
torso, the underside with gold scroll work on the button-like belly.
1 3/4in (4.5cm) long
$8,000 - 12,000

戰國時期 金錯銀蛙形配飾

The present lot was likely used as a weight to secure the corner of
a mat. The charming and naturalistic details of the frog are skilfully
rendered in silver and gold inlay, creating an amusing ornament that
would nevertheless indicate the high status and wealth of the owner.

Bronze and precious metal animal forms were popular in the Eastern
Zhou and Han periods, however examples shaped as a frog appear
to be exceptionally rare. A pair of weights in the shape of bear-like
animals was sold at Christie’s New York The Collection of Robert
Hatfield Ellsworth Part IV: Chinese Works of Art: Metalwork, Sculpture
and Early Ceramics, sale 11421, 20 March 2015, lot 706, and another
shaped as a tortoise also sold at Christie’s New York, The Sze Yuan
Tang Archaic Bronzes from the Anthony Hardy Collection, sale 2508,
16 September 2010, lot 907.

CHINESE PAINTINGS AND WORKS OF ART | 55