A RARE BRONZE ZOOMORPHIC CIRCULAR FITTING

HAN DYNASTY, DIAN CULTURE, CIRCA 2ND CENTURY BC

Details

A RARE BRONZE ZOOMORPHIC CIRCULAR FITTING
HAN DYNASTY, DIAN CULTURE, CIRCA 2ND CENTURY BC
Thinly cast, the slightly dished front cast in high relief in the center with a humanoid/owl mask with long pointed nose/beak above teeth-like markings, surrounded by a band of rays within zigzag borders, the slightly convex back with concave center and set with two horizontal angular hooks, with overall milky-green encrustation
4¾ in. (12 cm.) diam., box

Provenance

Acquired in Hong Kong, 1995.

Exhibited

The Glorious Traditions of Chinese Bronzes, Singapore, 2000, no. 86.
Metal, Wood, Water, Fire and Earth, Hong Kong Museum of Art, 2002-2006.

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

View condition report

Lot Essay

The shape and thin casting of this ornament, as well as the types of hooks on the reverse, are similar to other circular ornaments of the Dian Culture. See, lots 894 and 895, and an ornament illustrated by J.M. White and E.C. Bunker, Adornment for Eternity: Status and Rank in Chinese Ornament, Denver Art Museum, 1994, p. 114, pls. 33 and 34, where the back of a circular ornament is illustrated showing this particular type of hook.

More from The Sze Yuan Tang Archaic Bronzes from the Anthony Hardy Collection

View All