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Lot 53
AN ARCHAIC BRONZE VASE WITH TAOTIE RING-HANDLES, HU Late Warring States Period, 3th century BC
14 December 2023, 17:00 EST
New YorkUS$5,000 - US$7,000
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I-Hsuan Chen
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AN ARCHAIC BRONZE VASE WITH TAOTIE RING-HANDLES, HU
Late Warring States Period, 3th century BC
Finely cast with three registers of geometric pattern separated by raised double-bands, the waisted neck decorated with a band of comma and scroll patterns near the shoulder, all supported by a straight foot decorated with a band of entwined double-lines, the pair of taotie masks with loose ring-handles attached to each side of the shoulder, the dark grey surface with malachite and earth encrustation in areas.
14in (35.5cm) high
Finely cast with three registers of geometric pattern separated by raised double-bands, the waisted neck decorated with a band of comma and scroll patterns near the shoulder, all supported by a straight foot decorated with a band of entwined double-lines, the pair of taotie masks with loose ring-handles attached to each side of the shoulder, the dark grey surface with malachite and earth encrustation in areas.
14in (35.5cm) high
Footnotes
戰國晚期 紀元前三世紀 青銅綾紋饕餮活環耳壺
The discovery and excavation of the ancient foundry site in the mid-20th century at present day Houma, Shanxi province, unearthed over 1200 pieces of pottery molds and models used for bronze casting. The facility was established in early 6th century BC by the rulers of the Jin State. The wealth of patterned pottery molds and models is an unparalleled source for understanding the style and the complex casting technologies of this period, specifically in the Shanxi region.
Compare the taotie mask models and molds closely related to the ones on the present example, illustrated in Art of the Houma Foundry: Institute of Archaeology of Shanxi Province, Princeton, 1992, pp. 158-161, nos. 132-153.