AN UNUSUAL INCISED GILT-BRONZE WINE VESSEL AND COVER, BIANHU

HAN DYNASTY, 2ND CENTURY BC-2ND CENTURY AD

細節

AN UNUSUAL INCISED GILT-BRONZE WINE VESSEL AND COVER, BIANHU
HAN DYNASTY, 2ND CENTURY BC-2ND CENTURY AD
The flattened oval body raised on a spreading rectangular foot and incised on each broad side with two confronted phoenixes standing with wings spread and long bifurcated tail arched over the head and behind the legs, within a surround of scrolling foliage, the narrow sides incised with confronted dragons, their long scrolling foliated bodies interrupted by the pair of taotie mask and loose ring handles, the cover with deep inner rim and a small loop centering confronted taotie masks, with a small loop projecting from the center of the base
12½ in. (31.8 cm.) wide

來源

Acquired in August 1989.

拍品專文

The bianhu was an innovation of the Eastern Zhou, introduced around 400 BC, with production continuing into the Han dynasty. A gilded bianhu of similar shape with garlic mouth is illustrated by C. Deydier, The Art of the Warring States and Han Periods, London, 1991, pp. 86-7, no. 25, while a smaller version, no. 19, has similar incised decoration. Another bianhu of similar shape, without cover, and with plain body that may be gilded, is illustrated in Chugoku Sengoku jidai no bijutsu (The Art of the Warring States Period), Osaka Municipal Museum of Fine Art, 1991, p. 55, no. 49.