Lot 313. A gilt bronze axe-head garment hook, Han dynasty; 3 1/2in (8.8cm) long. Estimate US$ 3,000 - 5,000 (€ 2,500 - 4,200). © Bonhams 2001-2020

Cast in the form of a flattened axe-head inlaid with fine gold in a geometric pattern of whorls and c-commas, and joined to the hook by a taotie mask carefully inlaid in gold along with the narrow shaft terminating in a dragon head hook, the details further accented in gold inlay, the reverse boss once inlaid and now covered with a malachite patina.

Note: Several hooks from the Warring States period through the Han with repeating geometric inlay patterns reminiscent of the present lot are illustrated in Julia White et al Adornment for the Body and Soul: Ancient Chinese Ornaments from the Mengdiexuan Collection (Hong Kong: The Univ. Museum and Art Gallery, 1999), pp. 107-114. See notably the example described as a 'garment hook' on p. 113 with the wide body like that of the present lot.

Compare a related example from the Sze Yuan Tang collection, sold at Christie's New York, 16 Sept 2010, lot 862, and in the British Museum (acquisition number 1936,1118.113) dated Warring States to Han.

Bonhams. Featuring the RenLu Collection, 21 Sep 2020, 10:00 EDT, New York.