Lot 1233. A very rare bronze tiger-form applique, late Eastern Zhou dynasty, 5th-4th century BC; 4 3/8 in. (11.1 cm.) wide. Estimate 45,000 - USD 50,000. Price realised USD 62,500. © Christie's Images Ltd 2013

The powerfully proportioned tiger is cast crouching atop a roof-shaped base composed of three concave rectangular panels decorated in relief with a dense pattern of overlapping spiral motifs. The arched neck, back and tail of the tiger are finely detailed with wavy stripes. The haunches, shoulders and legs of the animal are detailed with further spiral and braided motifs terminating in curved claws. The tiger's open mouth is made to accommodate a loose ring. The plain base is cast with two protruding pierced angular loops for attachment. The bronze surface has a greenish-grey patina, lucite stand.

Provenance: Osvald Sirén Collection, Stockholm.
Oscar Raphael Collection, London.
Dr. Nathanael Wessèn Collection, Stockholm.
Eskenazi Ltd, London, 1980.

Literature: Ars Asiatica, vol. VII, Documents d'Art Chinois de la Collection O. Sirén, Paris et Bruxelles, 1925, pl. XXI, no. 216.
O. Sirén, A History of Early Chinese Art: The Prehistoric and Pre-Han Periods, London, 1929, pl. 105.
International Exhibition of Chinese Art, Royal Academy of Arts, Burlington House, London, 1935-36, no. 115.
O. Sirén, Kinas Konst Under Tre Artsenden, vol. 1, Stockholm, 1942, fig. 72, p. 114.
O. Karlbeck, "Selected objects from Ancient Shou-chou", B.M.F.E.A., Stockholm, 1955, vol. 27, pl. 40, fig, 1.
B. Karlgren and J. Wirgin, Chinese Bronzes, the Nathanael Wessèn Collection, The Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities Monograph Series - vol. 1, Stockholm, 1969, no. 51c, pl. 68.

Exhibited: London, Royal Academy of Arts, Burlington House, International Exhibition of Chinese Art, 1935-36, no. 115.
London, Eskenzi Ltd, Ancient Chinese bronzes and gilt bronzes from the Wessèn and other collections, 1980, no. 10.