17TH CENTURY

Some of the decoration on this unusual vase can be found on two other parcel-gilt bronze vases inscribed with Hu Wenming marks illustrated by G. Tsang and H. Moss, in the exhibition catalogue, Arts from the Scholar's Studio, Oriental Ceramics Society, Hong Kong, 1986, no. 230, a pear-shaped vase with similar foliate scroll decoration and silver key-fret inlay on the neck, and no. 237, of archaistic gu shape, with pendent blades similar to those on the upper body of the present vase.