A CHINESE BRONZE ARCHAISTIC HU-SHAPED VASE

SOUTHERN SONG DYNASTY

The pear-shaped body surmounted by a tall neck which flares slightly towards the rim, cast in relief with stylised birds amidst rocks and crashing waves, the neck flanked by animal mask handles and decorated with bands of dragons, ruyi-shaped clouds and other archaistic motifs reserved on a leiwen ground, all raised on a tall spread foot, 24cm, 1.1kg.

Provenance: from a British private collection, purchased from Carter Fine Art Ltd on 19th March 1993. A copy of the invoice is available.

Cf. R Kerr, Later Chinese Bronzes, pp.43-44 and 58-59, nos.31,32, 46 and 47 for a similarly decorated vase dated to 1173.