17 septembre 2020
A pair of gold dragon-form bracelets, qianzhuo, Ming dynasty or earlier
Lot 323. A pair of gold dragon-form bracelets, qianzhuo, Ming dynasty or earlier; 2 5/8in (6.7cm) wide (2). Estimate US$ 7,000 - 9,000 (€ 5,900 - 7,600). © Bonhams 2001-2020
Each penannular-form bracelet with a solid, rounded shank flattening towards its terminals, with worn hammered details to present a pair of facing dragons.
Note : The rudimentary format of the bracelets appears to have taken inspiration of the jue-form gold bracelets found as early as the Shang and Zhou dynasties. Jue(玦)is distinctive design better known in early Chinese jade carving characteristically presented in the form of a ring with a small break in the circumference.
A group of gold jue-form jewelries excavated from Shang and Zhou tombs near Beijing are illustrated and discussed in Chinese Gold Ornaments (Hong Kong: Muwen Tang Fine Art Publication Ltd., 2003), P. 41, no. 49, and pp. 136-137, pl. 137. Simon Kwan and Sun Ji point out that the measurements of this group of distinctive gold jewelries vary notably. It is believed that they could have been bracelets, earrings, or nose ring hoops. This group of penannular-form gold jewelries all feature a rounded shank and flattened termini but in a flared, 'trumpet shape'. It is possible that the present pair of bracelets evolved from the early gold jue-form jewelries.
Bonhams. Elegant Embellishments Featuring the RenLu Collection, 21 Sep 2020, 10:00 EDT, New York
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