Lot 8064. A gold and silver-inlaid bronze ornament, Warring States period; 1 3/4in (4.5cm) long. Estimate US$ 8,000 - 12,000 (€7,200 - 11,000). Sold for US$ 31,250 (€ 25,381). Photo: Bonhams.

Delicately cast as a frog crouching with four legs splayed and raised head and grinning mouth, the body inlaid with silver on the shoulders and haunches and stylized gold scroll and dot details on legs and torso, the underside with gold scroll work on the button-like belly. 

Notes: The present lot was likely used as a weight to secure the corner of a mat. The charming and naturalistic details of the frog are skilfully rendered in silver and gold inlay, creating an amusing ornament that would nevertheless indicate the high status and wealth of the owner. 

Bronze and precious metal animal forms were popular in the Eastern Zhou and Han periods, however examples shaped as a frog appear to be exceptionally rare. A pair of weights in the shape of bear-like animals was sold at Christie's New York The Collection of Robert Hatfield Ellsworth Part IV: Chinese Works of Art: Metalwork, Sculpture and Early Ceramics, sale 11421, 20 March 2015, lot 706, and another shaped as a tortoise also sold at Christie's New York, The Sze Yuan Tang Archaic Bronzes from the Anthony Hardy Collection, sale 2508, 16 September 2010, lot 907.

Bonhams. CHINESE PAINTINGS AND WORKS OF ART, 14 Sep 2015 10:00 EDT , NEW YORK