Lot 20. A fine gilt-bronze vase in gu form, China, 17th century. Estimate 5 000/8 000 €. Photo Nagel

meticulously cast around the cylindrical body and the splayed base with formalized taotie masks separated by vertical flanges, the tall trumpet neck with upright blade-shaped lappets containing a deconstructed taotie mask and cicada issuing from a band of kuilong, all reserved on a finely detailed diaper ground. H. 25,3 cm. Minor wear

Modelled after archaic bronze ritual wine containers known as gu, the present vessel was created for the scholar's studio primarily as an art object to hold flowers or 'a branch of coral, peacock feathers, an inspiringly shaped piece of wood or anything the scholar might chose to put into it.

Nagel Auctions. "Asiatische Kunst", Sale 736, 06.05.2016