Lot 59.  A very fine bronze 'mythical beast' water-pot, Silver-wire-inlaid Shisou mark, late Ming Dynasty; 13cm (5 1/8in) long. Estimate: £10,000 - £15,000. Sold for £ 10,687 (€ 12,476). Photo: Bonhams. 

The recumbent animal finely cast with almond-shaped eyes, small nostrils and gentle smile beneath a single short horn between two long ears, its head turned sharply overlooking the aperture on its rounded back, its tail sweeping over its right haunch, the slightly recessed base with silver-wire inlaid mark surrounded by stylised dragons. 

Property from the Collection of John J. Studzinski, CBE

Provenance: John J. Studzinski, CBE.

Published and Illustrated: Michael Goedhuis, Chinese and Japanese Bronzes AD. 1100-1900, London, 1989, pl.36.

Note: Compare with a related bronze figure of a Buddhist lion inlaid with gold and silver, 15th/16th century, illustrated by R.Kerr, Later Chinese Bronzes, London, 1990, p.89, no.73.