Lot 2040. A pair of gold and silver-inlaid bronze fittings, Late Warring States Period/Han dynasty, 3rd century BC-1st century AD; 5½ in. (9 cm.) high. Estimate USD 4,000 - USD 6,000. Price Realized USD 27,500. © Christie's Images Ltd 2014. 

Each is of hexagonal form, and is inlaid in gold and silver sheet with a broad chevron band between gold interlaced scrolls on the spreading, hollow end and the baluster end, which is decorated on the flat top with a starburst motif, lucite stands, Japanese wood box.

Provenance: Mayuyama, Tokyo, Japan, acquired prior to 2000.

Note: A similar fitting is illustrated by J. Sewell in Chinese Art from the Collection of James W. and Marilyn Alsdorf, Chicago, 1970, no. B13; and two others from the Eastern Zhou dynasty are included in the exhibition, Inlaid bronze and related material from pre-Tang China, Eskenazi, London, June-July 1991, no. 17.

Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, New York, 20 - 21 March 2014