Lot 1259. A bronze faceted storage jar and cover, fanghu, Han dynasty (206 BC-AD 220); 15 7/8 in. (40.4 cm.) high. Estimate USD 50,000 - USD 70,000. Price realised USD 60,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2011.

The faceted pear-shaped body raised on a slightly flared foot, the sides left plain, with small loops suspending rings on two sides below the rim, and relief-cast taotie mask handles suspending loose rings applied on the shoulder of the other two sides, the rings attached to links attached at the other end to a slightly arched handle cast with bands of cowrie pattern between the dragon head terminals, the cover with canted sides and applied with bird-scroll finials at the corners and a ring handle on top, with a four-character inscription cast in relief on the base, with brown and milky green patina and blue-green encrustation, stand. 

Provenance: Acquired in Hong Kong, 14 January 1998.

Note: The meaning of the inscription cast in relief on the base of this vessel, ma bing yi jia xiong li, is unclear, but may be literally translated as, 'horse, sickness, family, hero.'

Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art Part I and Part II Including Property from the Arthur M. Sackler Collections, New York, 24 March 2011