Lot 26. A very rare miniature silver and gilt-bronze tripod vessel (hu), Han dynasty (206 BC-220 AD). Height 2 1/4  in., 5.6 cm. Lot sold 149,000 USD (Estimate 120,000 — 150,000 USD). Photo Sotheby's

of compressed spherical form supported on three bear-form feet, the sides set with opposing loop handles suspending rings, finely gilt with a turtledove and beast amidst cloud scrolls forming the main register around the steeply rounded sides below a narrow gilt band, the neck decorated with a frieze of triangular motifs underneath another narrow gilt band, the cover surmounted with a ringed loop finial, decorated with gilt floral patterns, all outlined by engravings and reserved on a silver-gilt ground. 

Provenance: A Japanese collection prior to 1980.

Note: This rare miniature hu vessel exemplifies the highly skilled gilding and incising techniques developed in the Han dynasty. The rich ornamentation expresses a scene of the Daoist mystic realm populated with turtledoves and animals amidst cloud scrolls. The cloud scroll was an often used background pattern in the Han dynasty, which created the atmosphere of the Daoist land of immortality. In the Han dynasty, according to Fan Ye's History of the Later Han Dynasty (Hou Han shu li yiji), published in China in the fifth century, the turtledove was a symbol of longevity as it was known that the bird that would not choke. There are many surviving examples of Han bronze turtledove finials which were originally attached to the wangzhang, a rod given by the Emperor to people who were older than 70. The Daoist theme on this present vessel is further emphasized by its bear-form legs. The bear was another popular motif in Han iconography and often related to stories found in the Shanhaijing. A small Han bronze tripod vessel with incised decoration of slightly different form is illustrated in Ancient Chinese Bronzes, J.J. Lally & Co., 2011, no.10; compare also a gilt and incised incense burner in the Nanjing Museum illustrated in Zhongguo wenwu jinghua dacidian: qing tong juan (Grand Dictionary of Gems of Chinese Cultural Relics: Bronzes), Shanghai, 1995, p. 322, no. 1155.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art, New York , 17 september 2013