Lot 1019. A rare bronze dragon-head fitting, Yuan dynasty (1279-1368); 9½ in. (24 cm.) long. Estimate USD 6,000 - USD 8,000. Price realised USD 6,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2014

The fitting is hollow cast as a dragon head with coiled snout, fangs, trailing whiskers and brows, and a long mane extending under the horns onto the scaly neck. The bronze has a dark grey patina with some bluish-green encrustation, stand.

Property from the C. Philip Cardeiro collection.

Note: Stylistically this fitting is similar to a jade dragon head dated to the Yuan dynasty illustrated by Fu Xinian in Guyu tuoying (A Selection of Ancient Chinese Jades), Hong Kong, 1995, p. 220, fig. 95.

Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, New York, 18 - 19 September 2014