Lot Essay
Compare a gilt-bronze mask and ring handle illustrated in Kandai no Bijitsu, p. 30, no. 90
Details
A PAIR OF GILT-BRONZE TAOTIE MASK AND RING HANDLES
HAN DYNASTY
Each cast with long snout curved down and back to support the solid faceted ring, below two bulging eyes divided by a pair of curled horns flanked by pointed ears bordered on each side by three rounded flanges, terminating in pointed teeth at the lower corners, each mask with two apertures for attachment, retaining extensive traces of gilding, areas of cuprite encrustation--masks 4¾in. (12.2cm.) long, rings 3¼in. (8.3cm.) diam.
HAN DYNASTY
Each cast with long snout curved down and back to support the solid faceted ring, below two bulging eyes divided by a pair of curled horns flanked by pointed ears bordered on each side by three rounded flanges, terminating in pointed teeth at the lower corners, each mask with two apertures for attachment, retaining extensive traces of gilding, areas of cuprite encrustation--masks 4¾in. (12.2cm.) long, rings 3¼in. (8.3cm.) diam.