AN UNUSUAL PARCEL-GILT BRONZE VASE

Details

AN UNUSUAL PARCEL-GILT BRONZE VASE
17TH/18TH CENTURY

Of tapering rectangular form, two sides with ogival cutouts inset with gilded plaques decorated with birds in flight around branches of peony and prunus cast in high relief on a ring-punched ground, each set above a smaller panel of 'antiques', the lion-head handles on the narrow sides positioned above panels depicting a pomegranate tree and a pine tree, with a gilded, overlapping lappet border applied on the high shoulder and a band of key-pattern scroll encircling the mouth rim, all highligted in gilding against a dark brown patina which continues onto the flat base to surround a small seal cast with two characters, wu jin, and gilded, slight casting flaws
13¼in. (33.5cm.) high

Lot Essay

The seal, wu jin, may be translated, 'five metals' Traditionally the five metals are gold, silver, copper, iron and tin or pewter

For a similar vase bearing a Yu shi zhi (Imperial Manifestation made) mark inset in the base, see Christie's, London, December 16/17, 1981, lot 275