19TH CENTURY

Details

A ROCK-CRYSTAL ARCHAISTIC RECTANGULAR VESSEL AND COVER, TULU
19TH CENTURY
The square-sectioned vessel is supported on four feet and has rounded corners. The sides are carved in low relief with a band of confronted kui-dragons and two lion-head handles. The cover is carved in a similar fashion below a dragon finial.
4 ¾ in. (12 cm.) high

Provenance

Collection of the late Gerard Arnhold (1918-2010).

Special notice

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Lot Essay

This distinctive vessel was carved in imitation of an archaic bronze form and would have originally held artist's materials. Coloured pigments were kept in the tubular compartments at each corner and subdivided by wooden compartments. The central compartment held a saucer and water for mixing the colours. For a discussion of the bronze prototypes, see Cheng Te Kun, 'The T'u-Lu Colour-Container of the Shang-Chou Period', B.M.F.E.A., no. 37, 1965, p. 239-249, pl. 1-6, where examples in jade, marble and pottery are also illustrated. This vessel may be compared in form, decoration and size to the jade tulu (14 cm wide) from the Qianlong period sold at Christie's London, 15 May 2012, lot 198.

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