Jian water basin, China, Eastern Zhou dynasty, Late Spring & Autumn Period, circa 500-450 BC. Bronze. Height 28 cm/ Diameter 68 cm. Vanderven Oriental Art (stand 102) 

Metallurgical Test report & X-ray, CIRAMA 

Jian is a type of ancient Chinese bronze ritual basin, used for water or ice. The densely patterned stylized decoration of interlaced mythical beasts in low relief, is divided into three horizontal bands. This type of stylized decoration is characteristic of this period. The two sturdy monster masks (taotie) handles, may have had rings. When full of water, the surface was also used as a mirror. The word jian later came to mean 'mirror' in Chinese. This type of bronze would have been cast in ceramic moulds, a technique which allowed casting of intricate decorative motifs. When newly made it would have been very impressive and the material a bright golden colour.

Literature: J.A. Pope, The Freer Chinese Bronzes, Washington, 1967, p. 478, no. 94, pl. 88 

Vanderven Oriental Art (stand 102) at TEFAF Maastricht 2016, 11-20 march.

Directors: Floris van der Ven, Nynke van der Ven-van Wijngaarden, Floris Bouwman 

Vanderven Oriental Art, specialises in Asian art with an emphasis on Chinese and Japanese porcelain. Also included are early bronzes and terracotta objects dating from as early as 3000 BC as well as Chinese works of art and colonial furniture. The firm has sold to numerous private collectors, decorators, museums and historic houses in the world. 
We aim to provide all the academic information with our object in a written certificate. We also offer a door to door delivery service. The client therefore buys with full confidence and utmost convenience. 
The business is run from offices in an historical building in the centre of the medieval town of ‘s-Hertogenbosch. 

Contact: 5211 LE ´s-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands. T  +31-73 614 62 51 - M   +31-6 53 17 85 21. Monday - Friday 10.00-17.00 hrs or by appointment. www.vanderven.com www.vanderven.cn - info@vanderven.com