A BRONZE HU VASE WITH CAST DECORATION

Song/Yuan dynasty, 12th/14th century
China

height: 38 cm

The elegant archaistic form vase has a bulbous body that gently slopes up to a short neck and slightly flared mouth, and is supported on a circular raised foot; two animal mask handles protrude – one from each side, at the shoulder. Two bands of decoration encircle the neck – the top with stylised dragons, and the lower with small birds – both against a diaper ground. A central wide band encircles the body, divided up into six panels by vertical columns; each panel repeats a design that depicts two geese facing each other against a diaper ground. These designs are reminiscent of ancient bronze ritual vessels that were often inlaid in gold and silver. The hu’s surface has been purposefully patinated to give the feeling of an archaic piece that has been buried.

compare
‘Later Chinese Bronzes’, by Rose Kerr, Bamboo Publishing Ltd. and the Victoria & Albert Museum, 1990 – plate 34 illustrates two vases datable to the 12th/13th century.