A RARE HARDSTONE INLAID GILT-BRONZE BEAR-FORM SUPPORT

PROPERTY FROM AN AMERICAN PRIVATE COLLECTION

Details

A RARE HARDSTONE INLAID GILT-BRONZE BEAR-FORM SUPPORT
WESTERN HAN DYNASTY

The paunchy figure well cast in a semi-kneeling position, with right elbow supported by the raised right knee and left paw resting on the knee of the bent left leg, the large head turned slightly to the side and the facial features set in an animated expression with tongue lolling in the corner of the open mouth, with finely incised markings detailing the hair on various areas of the body as well as outlining the small pieces of circular or tear-shaped hardstone inlay, the top half of the hollow figure left open in back, traces of red pigment in mouth, some inlay missing, some wear to gilding
1 5/8in. (4.1cm.) high

Provenance

Stephen Junkunc III

Lot Essay

This small bear would most likely have been a support for a lien or a dish. See the gilt-bronze lien raised on three hardstone-inlaid gilt-bronze bear supports and a dish or tray on which it stands, also raised on further bear supports, very similar to the present example included in the exhibition, Peking Kokyu Hakubutsin ten (Beijing Palace Museum Exhibition), Tokyo, 1992, Catalogue, no. 89. Another very similar single bear support from the Stoclet Collection was included in the Exhibition of Chinese Art, Berlin, 1929, Catalogue, no. 1150. Other inlaid bear supports, of larger size, are also illustrated: one in Ancient Chinese Arts in the Idemitsu Collection, Japan, 1989, no. 256; a pair in the exhibition, Chinese Treasures from the Avery Brundage Collection, Asia Society, New York, 1968, Catalogue, no. 30; and one in the Royal Ontario Museum, included in the exhibition, Arts of the Han Dynasty, Asia House, New York, 1961, Catalogue, no. 55