CHINE, DYNASTIE QING, ÉPOQUE QIANLONG (1736-1795)

The raised rope twist pattern seen on the archaic examples was originally intended to imitate the use of rope to carry vessels traditionally used by Chinas northern nomadic people. An example of a bronze hu-form wine vessel with raised rope-twist pattern, excavated from a Warring States period tomb at Mujiazhuang in Pingshan, Hebei province is illustrated in Warring States Treasures: Cultural Relics form the State of Zhongshan, Hebei Province, Hong Kong, 1999, pp. 144-145, no. 56. Compare also to another bronze hu with similar decoration dated to the Han dynasty, illustrated in Xiqing gujian, juan 21.
This design was much appreciated by the Qianlong emperor, see a rope-decorated hu-shaped celadon and russet jade vase, in the Collection of the Palace Museum of Beijing, is illustrated in, Jadeware (III), The Complete Collection of Treasures of The Palace Museum, Hong Kong 1995, p. 175, no. 143.