Lot 2. A rare pair of silver taotie-mask handles, Warring States Period (475–221 BC). Each 7.8cm (2 7/8in) wide. Estimate: £12,000 - 20,000 (€ 14,000 - 23,000). Unsold. © Bonhams.

The masks finely cast as taotie with curved leaf-shaped ears, finely striated hair markings and brows, the almond-shaped bulging eyes flanking the loops forming the snout, the reverse with a rectangular tab for attachment.

Provenance: Sotheby's London, 10 December 1991, lot 28
Stephen K.C.Lo P.C. Lu Works of Art Ltd., Hong Kong, 11 April 1992
Jean-Yves Ollivier Collection.

Note: A related pair of silver taotie mask handles and a further gilt-bronze one are illustrated in Mancheng hanmu fajue baogao, Beijing, 1980, pls.2 and 15.

Compare with a related pair of gilt-bronze taotie mask ring-handles, Eastern Zhou dynasty, which was sold at Bonhams London, 9 November 2017, lot 5.

From the Sze Yuan Tang collection. A rare pair of gilt-bronze inlaid 'taotie mask' ring handles, Eastern Zhou Dynasty (770-256 BC). Each 11.5cm (4 1/2in) high. Sold for £21,250 (€23,975) at Bonhams London, 9 November 2017, lot 5. ©  Bonhams.