Lot 58
58
A TURQUOISE AND GOLD-INLAID BRONZE FIGURE OF A RECLINING GOAT

WESTERN HAN DYNASTY

Details
A TURQUOISE AND GOLD-INLAID BRONZE FIGURE OF A RECLINING GOAT
Western Han Dynasty
The full-bodied animal hollow-cast and shown with head turned to the side, its slender legs tucked beneath and around the body, with curled horns enclosing the short ears, the body cast with an allover pattern of circles and dots, some still with gold inlay and with tear-drop or circular impressions inlaid with turquoise matrix, all reserved against the dark blackish-brown patina
3in. (8.2cm.) long

Lot Essay

For another gold and hardstone-inlaid bronze animal of approximately the same size representing a real and not imaginary animal, see the bear in the Pierre Uldry Collection, illustrated in the Catalogue, Chinesisches Gold und Silber, Museum Rietberg, Zurich, 1994, no. 87

An analysis by Conservation and Technical Services Ltd., University of London, is consistent with the dating of this lot