The bronze vase is of hexagonal baluster form, with horned dragon-mask handles suspending loose rings. The body is decorated with panels of geometric and wave ornament enclosed by raised borders. The vase rests on a flaring, reticulated foot, and a four-character mark is incised on the lower section.
A bronze hexagonal baluster vase (Yuan dynasty, 1279–1368)
Description
Dimensions:
27.2 cm high
Provenance:
A private English collection
Bonhams London, 2 September 2013, lot 238
A private European collection
The bronze vase is of hexagonal baluster form, with horned dragon-mask handles suspending loose rings. The body is decorated with panels of geometric and wave ornament enclosed by raised borders. The vase rests on a flaring, reticulated foot, and a four-character mark is incised on the lower section.
This bronze vase is unusual for its openwork foot, a feature also found on arrow vases, or touhu, of the period. Later Chinese bronzes drew on the forms and ornament of ancient ritual vessels, combining stylised dragons, cicada lappets and geometric grounds with inventive variations in silhouette and handles.
Additional information
| Period | Yuan dynasty (1279–1368) |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 27.2 cm high |
