A PAIR OF GOLD FOIL-DECORATED BRONZE FITTINGS

WARRING STATES PERIOD, 4TH CENTURY BC

Details

A PAIR OF GOLD FOIL-DECORATED BRONZE FITTINGS
WARRING STATES PERIOD, 4TH CENTURY BC
Each a loop cast on top in high relief with the granulated snake-like bodies of entwined dragons, with a rectangular loop below and an oblong opening in front from which rises a short post cast on top in the shape of a taotie mask overlaid with thin gold sheet pressed over the taotie mask to form the hook, with extensive green encrustation
1¾ in. (4.5 cm.) across
Wt. 69.0 and 68.4 g. (2)

Provenance

Alice Boney, New York, 1953.

If you wish to view the condition report of this lot, please sign in to your account.

View condition report

Lot Essay

The gold masks are stylistically similar to those seen on circular bronze fittings such as the example from the Ellsworth Collection, lot 1290; the example illustrated in Chinesisches Gold und Silber: Die Sammlung Pierre Uldry, Museum Reitberg, Zürich, 1994, p. 74, no. 12; and one illustrated by B. Gyllensvärd, Chinese Gold & Silver in the Carl Kempe Collection, Stockholm, 1953, pp. 64-5, no. 3.

A Technical Examination Report is available upon request.

More from Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art Including Property from the Arthur M. Sackler Collections

View All