Lot 976. A large archaistic faux bronze hu-form vase, 19th century; 20¾ in. (52.7 cm.) high. Estimate $20,000 - USD 30,000. Price realised USD 25,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2014

The body is carved with two bands of angular dragon scroll above a band of pendent blades and below a band of upright blades at the base of the neck, and 'mask and ring' handles are applied to the shoulder, all in gold on a black ground, with imitation encrustation in gold and turquoise enamel on areas of the exterior, interior of the neck and the base, which is carved with an apocryphal Qianlong seal mark.

Provenance: Private collection, United States, before 1968, and thence by descent within the family.
Chia-Chu and Siao-Mei Chang Collection; Christie's New York, 13-14 September 2012, lot 1586.

Christie's. FINE CHINESE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART, 18 – 19 September 2014, New York, Rockefeller Plaza