Lot 3. A large and unusual bronze 'arrow' vase, touhu, Ming dynasty (1368-1644). Hauteur : 52 cm. Estimate 3 000 € - 4 000 €. Lot sold 26 000 €. Courtesy Asium-Millon.

with flattened circular body cast with four taotie masks each separated by a cylindrical tube, all raised on a spreading foot cast with lappets above foaming waves, the tall slender neck with two further cylinders attached at an angle between two applied writhing chilong dragons each clutching a lingzhi spray in its mouth, all beneath four further cylinders attached vertically at the mouth and cast with further taotie masks on a leiwen ground.

Vase à haut col en bronze, touhu, à patine brune, le col orné de anses tubulaires, deux dragons stylisés rampant sur le col. La panse ornée de tubes et masques de taotie en leger relief.

Note: Pour un vase identique vendu aux enchères, voir Bonhams vente du 6 novembre 2014, lot 388. 

Arts de la Chine - Arts du Japon chez Asium-Millon, 75009 Paris (France), le 13 Juin 2019. Monsieur Jean Gauchet, Expert.