Late Warring States Period

© 2022 Smithsonian Institution The largest bronze foundry complex from antiquity was excavated at Houma in northern China in the mid-twentieth century. At the two-acre site, archaeologists discovered evidence of extremely sophisticated manufacturing techniques. Fragments of reused clay models, master pattern blocks, and decorated clay molds indicate the adoption of ceramic pattern transfers to cast ornamented bronze objects. Using pattern blocks to increase the speed and volume of production without sacrificing quality was an... [Lire la suite]

Lot 3013. A rare and large bronze 'six mountain' mirror, Late Warring States period, 4th-3rd century BC; 7 7/8 in. (20 cm.) diam., box. Estimate HKD 500,000 - HKD 800,000. Price realised HKD 625,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2021 The mirror is crisply cast with a ribbed loop surrounded by a circular border and five feathers enclosed within the six-pointed star created by the connected inner edges of the six shan, ‘mountain’, characters, all reserved on a ground of swirl pattern, with... [Lire la suite]

Lot 2022. A bronze tripod ritual food vessel and cover, dui, Late Warring States period, second half 3rd century BC; 9 7/8 in. (25 cm.) high. Estimate USD 8,000 - USD 12,000. Price Realized USD 12,500. © Christie's Images Ltd 2014.  The vessel and cover are interchangeable, each of plain hemispherical form, with three dragon-form supports and a pair of ring handles. Provenance: Alberts Antiques, Richmond, British Columbia, August 1997. Note: A similar dui, reportedly from... [Lire la suite]

Lot 1253. A bronze ritual wine vessel and cover, hu, Late Warring States period, 4th-3rd century BC; 13¼ in. (33.6 cm.) high. Estimate USD 20,000 - USD 30,000. Price realised USD 64,900. © Christie's Images Ltd 2011 Heavily cast, the sides encircled by seven bands of fine abstract curl pattern bordered by narrow indented bands with raised edges, with a pair of taotie mask handles on the shoulder beneath four loose rings and attached to the chain handle which is also attached to the... [Lire la suite]

Lot 1498. A gold and turquoise-inlaid bronze garment hook, Late Warring States period, 4th-3rd century BC; 8 in. (20.3 cm.) long. Estimate USD 25,000 - USD 35,000. Price realised USD 37,500. © Christie's Images Ltd 2013. The slender, arched garment hook is inlaid in gold sheet and wire with a pattern of elongated angular scrolls against a ground of turquoise chips, and the dragon-head hook is encased in gold sheet inlaid with a small tear drop-shaped turquoise chip, , fitted box. ... [Lire la suite]

Lot 2911. A large bronze 'Shan' mirror, Late Warring States period, 4th-3rd century BC; 9 ½ in. (24.2 cm.) diam. Estimate HKD 800,000 - HKD 1,500,000. Price realised HKD 875,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2018. The mirror is crisply cast with a ribbed loop surrounded by a circular border and five feathers enclosed within the five-pointed star created by the connected inner edges of the five shan, ‘mountain’, characters, all reserved on a ground of feather pattern, with thin... [Lire la suite]

HONG KONG - The research project “Ancient Chinese Gold Techniques” is a collaborative effort of Art Museum of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shaanxi Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics Protection, the Master Studio of Chow Tai Fook, and the Conservation Office of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department of Hong Kong, for the first time to use interdisciplinary research methods to reconstruct several major ancient goldsmithing techniques and the history of the development. Golden Techniques: Art of the Chinese... [Lire la suite]

Lot 1407. A large bronze circular 'bird' mirror, late Warring States period, 3rd century BC. Estimate USD 7,000 - USD 10,000. Price realised USD 9,375 © Christie's Images Ltd 2012. With triple-fluted loop surrounded by a patterned band repeated in the main field as the ground for three birds with scrolling interlocking bodies and long angular crests extending from the back of their heads, all within the upright rim, with dark silver-grey patina - 9 3/8 in. (23.7 cm.) diam., 5/16 in. (.7 cm.)... [Lire la suite]

Lot 1405. A bronze circular 'phoenix' mirror, late Warring States period, 4th-3rd century BC. Estimate USD 7,000 - USD 9,000. Price realised USD 4,750 © Christie's Images Ltd 2012. The back with a small central knob set within a concave square border, the four phoenixes that stand on the corners alternating with four small long-tailed birds, each standing on an angular scroll, all reserved on a ground of coiled scrolls and granular pattern arranged in a grid of diamond-shaped lozenges, with silvery... [Lire la suite]

Lot 1404. A bronze circular 'phoenix' mirror, late Warring States period, 4th-3rd century BC. Estimate USD 5,000 - USD 7,000. Price realised USD 3,750 © Christie's Images Ltd 2012.  Thinly cast, the back with a small central knob set within a concave square border, the four phoenixes standing on the corners alternating with four stylized birds shown as if seen from above, all reserved on a ground of angular scrolls filled with granulation and coiled scrolls - 4 1/16 in. (10.3 cm.) diam.,... [Lire la suite]