Lot 43. A turquoise-inlaid gilt-bronze 'bear' fitting, Han dynasty (206 BC-220 AD). Height 4½ in., 11.43 cm. Estimate: 8,000 - 12,000 USD. Lot sold: 13,860 USD. © Sotheby's 2021

well cast as a hollow conical socket issuing from a ferocious bovine mask with bulging eyes and a broad flattened nose, flanked by flaring ears, all below tall curved horns cast with intaglio coil details, the conical socket with further intaglio motifs and pierced with two apertures, the bronze with a reddish-brown patina with malachite encrustation, stand.