RADIANT ANCIENT GLORIOUS BRONZE COLLECTION FROM MUWEN TANG CHINA GUARDIAN HONG KONG 2015 SPRING AUCTIONS 2015 April 6, 2015 2015 4 6
88 www.cguardian.com www.artrade.com China Guardian Hong Kong 2015 Spring Auctions will be broadcast live online at www.cguardian.com and www.artrade.com Front Cover: Lot 451, 463 Second Cover: Lot 430, 450, 462 Third Cover: Lot 428, 435 Back Cover: Lot 456 Catalogue: HKD 200
201 4 6 3:00 421 470 JW Radiant Ancient Glorious Bronze - Collection from Muwen Tang Monday, April 6, 2015 3:00 pm. Lot 421 to 470 JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong We advise all buyers to carefully examine the condition of the auction lots before the auction. If lot condition factors are not accounted for in the catalogue that does not mean the iece is ithout a.
Known in ancient times as jin, literally metal, or jijin, literally auspicious metal, bronze was the earliest metal used by the Chinese probably some five thousand years ago. In the Xia dynasty (coinciding with the Erlitou Culture) that preceded the Shang, the making and use of bronzes were already quite considerable in scale. More than simply functional in nature, these bronzes were designed with religious, aesthetic and ritual considerations to become major artifacts from an ancient civilization. They ushered in the Bronze Age that marks an important milestone in the evolution of Chinese culture. Regarded as the most privileged possessions in the Shang and Zhou periods, ritual bronzes were exclusively owned by those in power as symbols of their high status. Over the millennia, they became collectibles hotly sought after by emperors especially of the Song dynasty, the imperial collection of which boasted over 6000 items of ancient bronzes. By far the most zealous of the Song emperor-collectors of bronzes was Huizong, who had 839 bronzes in his imperial collection according to Xuanhe Bogutu (Illustrated Catalogue of Xuanhe Profoundly Learned Antiquity). Bronze collecting was equally prevalent even outside the court as supported by references in literature such as Kaogutu (Illustrated Catalogue of Examined Antiquity) of the Northern Song and Xu Kaogutu (A Sequel to Illustrated Catalogue of Examined Antiquity) of the Southern Song. Qing emperors were also passionate about bronzes. At the order of Emperor Qianlong, two voluminous catalogues, namely Xiqing Gujian (Xiqing Collection of Ancient Bronzes) and Xiqing Xujian (A Sequel to Xiqing Collection of Ancient Bronzes), were compiled to document a total of more than 3000 bronzes in the imperial collection. Private collectors also abounded, the most preeminent scholars among them being Wu Dacheng, Ruan Yuan, Duanfang, Chen Jieqi and Pan Zuyin. Besides collecting and collating, they also meticulously studied and documented the forms and dating of bronzes, thereby providing valuable information for later collectors and promoting greater understanding of the artifacts. Since ancient times, bronzes have been greatly prized and cherished in China. Having a bronze in one s heirloom has been enough to induce pride in any cultured individual. To truly appreciate bronzes, connoisseurs find connection with the spirit and culture of China in historic times, without stopping at being overwhelmed by the exquisite craftsmanship or the beautiful form. Text from master of Muwen Tang
China s bronze culture dates back thousands of years. As known from ancient Chinese literature, sacrificial activities and warfare were top on the agenda of ancient governments. It follows that the flourish and decline of the art of bronze were closely connected with the ritual system adopted by different political entities. In the early and mid-shang dynasty, or the Erligang period in archeology, ritual bronzes began to emerge in large numbers. A typical find from the period is the jue, a ritual tripod wine vessel, which, together with the Jia, Zhi, Gu, Zun and You, forms a complete wine set that was essential in sacrificial ceremonies performed by the aristocracy. By the late Shang, decorations on bronzes had become more elaborate as typified by the so-called triple bands, marking a zenith in bronze casting. Preference for elaborate decorations such as raised flanges and nipple protrusions continued into the early Western Zhou. Necessitated by modification in rites, wine vessels gave way to containers for food and led to the appearance of new forms such as the Pu and Yi. By the mid- and late Western Zhou, bronze decorations took a turn for the simple although there were still relatively sumptuous examples. Used increasingly as funerary objects, ritual bronzes of the Spring and Autumn period are artistically akin to those of the late Western Zhou. The complex rites practiced by a new class of aristocrats in various feudal states were reflected in the complex decorations on the ritual bronzes and musical instruments of the time. A predominant characteristic is the interlaced hydra design. Certain new forms, such as the Fu and Fou, also became popular during this period. The Warring States period witnessed parallel development in elaborately decorated and undecorated bronzes, evidencing that some of them were beginning to serve functional rather than ceremonial purposes. A contributing factor is naturally the decline of the aristocratic class. By the Han dynasty, ritual bronzes had remarkably dwindled in number. In their stead,delicately designed bronzes were produced to meet daily needs. The new demand for censers, buckles, weights, staff heads andthe likes, sometimes with gold and silver inlay, was indicative of not just political changes but also advancement in bronze casting for secular purposes. A testimony can be found in the making of bronze mirrors, an item
that was highly popular during the Warring States and Han periods. Among bronze mirrors dating from the Tang dynasty, those decorated with auspicious sea monsters and grapes are most notable for their craftsmanship. With warfare came the bronze chariots, harnesses and weapons. In ancient times, as emblems of the owner's aristocratic origins, weapons were produced with state-of-the-art techniques such as openwork and inlay for exuberance. Hence, more than just weapons, these were indispensable ritual bronzes for any army. Wars were waged in so different a fashion from ours that chariots, harnesses and combat weapons formed an important category in bronze culture. By the Warring States and Qin-Han periods, with chariots exiting the scene, it was infantries and cavalries armed with crossbows that determined the outcome of a war. The bronze culture of the Pre-Qin period encompasses the making of not only bronzes but also gold and silver ware. Culturally speaking, informed also by far-away exotic regions, the bronze culture of China Proper actually embodied Chinese culture over a vast area and a long period of time. Utilitarian as well as artistic, Chinese bronzes are remarkable works of art and technology and are at the same relics of immense historical and cultural importance.
2005 A Bronze Ritual Wine Vessel, Jue Late Shang Dynasty, 11th century BC 21 cm. high (8 1 /4 in.) HKD: 30,000-50,000 USD: 3,900-6,400
A Bronze Ritual Wine Vessel, Gu Late Shang to Early Western Zhou Dynasty, 11th century BC 24 cm. high (9 1 /2 in.) HKD: 80,000-120,000 USD: 10,300-15,500
A Bronze Ritual Food Vessel, Ding Western Zhou Dynasty (1050-771 BC) 21 cm. high (8 1 /4 in.) HKD: 150,000-250,000 USD: 19,300-32,200
A Bronze Ritual Food Vessel, Ding Late Shang Dynasty, 11th century BC 23 cm. high (9 in.) HKD: 100,000-200,000 USD: 12,900-25,800
2000 242 121 2007 212-213 A Bronze Bird-Shaped Censer Han Dynasty (206BC-AD220) 26 cm. wide (10 1 /4 in.) HKD: 30,000-50,000 USD: 3,900-6,400
A Bronze Censer Han Dynasty (206BC-AD220) 15 cm. diam. (5 7 /8 in.) HKD: 20,000-30,000 USD: 2,600-3,900
A Bronze Ritual Wine Vessel, Jia Late Shang Dynasty, 11th century BC 20 cm. high (7 7 /8 in.) HKD: 60,000-90,000 USD: 7,700-11,500
A Bronze Ritual Round Ware Spring and Autumn, Eastern Zhou Dynasty (770-476 BC) 23 cm. diam. (9 in.) HKD: 120,000-220,000 USD: 15,500-28,400
A Bronze Ritual Food Vessel, Gui Late Shang to Early Western Zhou Dynasty, 11th century BC 28 cm. wide (11 in.) HKD: 300,000-500,000 USD: 38,700-64,500
A Bronze Ritual Food Vessel, Ding Late Shang Dynasty, 11th century BC 25 cm. high (9 7 /8 in.) HKD: 200,000-300,000 USD: 25,800-38,700
A Bronze Water Vessel, Hu Spring and Autumn, Eastern Zhou Dynasty (770-476 BC) 20 cm. high (7 7 /8 in.) HKD: 50,000-80,000 USD: 6,400-10,300
A Bronze Ritual Water Vessel, Yi Spring and Autumn, Eastern Zhou Dynasty (770-476 BC) 36 cm. wide (14 1 /8 in.) HKD: 80,000-120,000 USD: 10,300-15,500
A Bronze Ritual Food Vessel, Ding Warring States, Eastern Zhou Dynasty (475-221 BC) 26 cm. wide (10 1 /4 in.) HKD: 80,000-120,000 USD: 10,300-15,500
A Bronze Ritual Food Vessel, Ding Late Spring and Autumn, Eastern Zhou Dynasty (770-476 BC) 24 cm. wide (9 1 /2 in.) HKD: 80,000-120,000 USD: 10,300-15,500
A Bronze Square Vessel, Fanghu Spring and Autumn, Eastern Zhou Dynasty (770-476 BC) 38 cm. high (15 in.) HKD: 150,000-250,000 USD: 19,300-32,200
A Pair of Bronze Square Vessels, Fanghu Warring States, Eastern Zhou Dynasty (475-221 BC) 35 cm. high (13 3 /4 in.) HKD: 250,000-350,000 USD: 32,200-45,100
A Bronze Mythical Beast Han Dynasty (206BC-AD220) 9 cm. wide (3 1 /2 in.) HKD: 10,000-20,000 USD: 1,300-2,600
A Boshan Censer Han Dynasty (206BC-AD220) 22 cm. high (8 5 /8 in.) HKD: 20,000-30,000 USD: 2,600-3,900
A Bronze Crossbow Han Dynasty (206BC-AD220) 16.5 cm. wide (6 1 /2 in.) HKD: 30,000-50,000 USD: 3,900-6,400
C A Set of Four Bronze Spear Heads Late Shang Dynasty to Eastern Zhou Dynasty (11th century BC- 476 BC) size variable HKD: 40,000-60,000 USD: 5,200-7,700
A Bronze Dagger Axe Warring States, Eastern Zhou Dynasty (475-221 BC) 26 cm. wide (10 1 /4 in.) HKD: 10,000-20,000 USD: 1,300-2,600
A Silver And Gold-Inlaid Bronze Sword Warring States, Eastern Zhou Dynasty (475-221 BC) 53 cm. long (20 7 /8 in.) HKD: 20,000-30,000 USD: 2,600-3,900
A Bronze Helmet Warring States, Eastern Zhou Dynasty (475-221BC) 23.5 cm. high (9 1 /4 in.) HKD: 20,000-30,000 USD: 2,600-3,900
A Bronze Round Vessel, Hu Warring States, Eastern Zhou Dynasty (475-221 BC) 34 cm. high (13 3 /8 in.) HKD: 50,000-80,000 USD: 6,400-10,300
A Bronze Axle Fitting, A Gold-Inlaid Bronze Sword Guard Late Shang Dynasty, 11th century BC / Han Dynasty (206BC-AD220) size variable HKD: 20,000-30,000 USD: 2,600-3,900
A Gold-Inlaid Bronze Tiger, A Bronze Turtle Han Dynasty (206BC-AD220) size variable HKD: 20,000-30,000 USD: 2,600-3,900
A Pair of Bronze Ritual Wine Vessels, Jue Early Shang Dynasty, 16th century BC 15 cm. high (5 7 /8 in.) HKD: 100,000-200,000 USD: 12,900-25,800
A Bronze Ritual Wine Vessel, Jia Early Shang Dynasty, 16th century BC 21.5 cm. high (8 1 /2 in.) HKD: 100,000-200,000 USD: 12,900-25,800
A Bronze Ritual Food Vessel, Gui Late Western Zhou, Zhou Dynasty (1050-771 BC) 27 cm. wide (10 5 /8 in.) HKD: 150,000-250,000 USD: 19,300-32,200
A Bronze Ritual Food Vessel, Ding Late Shang Dynasty, 11th century BC 24 cm. high (9 1 /2 in.) HKD: 300,000-500,000 USD: 38,700-64,500
A Bronze Ritual Food Vessel, Ding Late Shang to Early Western Zhou Dynasty, 11th century BC 34 cm. high (13 3 /8 in.) HKD: 400,000-600,000 USD: 51,600-77,300
A Silver And Gold-Inlaid Bronze Garment Hook and A Silver-Inlaid Bronze Garment Hook Warring States, Eastern Zhou Dynasty (475-221 BC) size variable HKD: 20,000-30,000 USD: 2,600-3,900
A Silver And Gold-Inlaid Bronze Shaft Tubular Fitting, A Gilt Bronze Hook Warring States, Eastern Zhou Dynasty (475-221 BC) size variable HKD: 10,000-20,000 USD: 1,300-2,600
A Pair of Silver And Gold-Inlaid Bronze Crossbow Supports Warring States, Eastern Zhou Dynasty (475-221 BC) 22 cm. long (8 5 /8 in.) HKD: 80,000-120,000 USD: 10,300-15,500
A Silver And Gold-Inlaid Bronze Bird-Shaped Finial Western Han, Han Dynasty (206BC-AD9) 11.5 cm. high (4 1 /2 in.) HKD: 50,000-80,000 USD: 6,400-10,300
A Silver-Inlaid Bronze Round Vessel, Hu Late Warring States, Eastern Zhou Dynasty (475-221 BC) 31 cm. high (12 1 /4 in.) HKD: 200,000-300,000 USD: 25,800-38,700
A Bronze Ritual Wine Vessel, Zun Late Shang to Early Western Zhou Dynasty, 11th century BC 26 cm. high (10 1 /4 in.) HKD: 50,000-80,000 USD: 6,400-10,300
A Bronze Ritual Food Vessel, Gui Late Spring and Autumn to Early Warring States (770-221 BC) 34 cm. wide (13 3 /8 in.) HKD: 60,000-90,000 USD: 7,700-11,600
A Bronze Ritual Water Vessel, Yi Late Spring and Autumn to Early Warring States (770-221 BC) 25 cm. wide (9 7 /8 in.)) HKD: 30,000-50,000 USD: 3,900-6,400
A Bronze Vessel, Hu Late Shang Dynasty, 11th century BC 32.5 cm. high (12 3 /4 in.) HKD: 150,000-250,000 USD: 19,300-32,200
A Bronze Ritual Food Vessel, Gui Late Shang Dynasty, 11th century BC 25 cm. diam. (9 7 /8 in.) HKD: 300,000-500,000 USD: 38,700-64,500
A Bronze Ritual Food Vessel, Ding Late Shang Dynasty, 11th century BC 21 cm. high (8 1 /4 in.) HKD: 150,000-250,000 USD: 19,300-32,200
A Bronze Ritual Food Vessel, Yan Late Shang to Early Western Zhou Dynasty, 11th century BC 39 cm. high (15 3 /8 in.) HKD: 500,000-800,000 USD: 64,500-103,100
A Bronze Vessel, Bianhu Warring States, Eastern Zhou Dynasty (475-221 BC) 28 cm. wide (11 in.) HKD: 50,000-80,000 USD: 6,400-10,300
A Bronze Ritual Food Vessel, Fu Late Spring and Autumn to Early Warring States (770-221 BC) 34 cm. wide ( 13 3 /8 in.)) HKD: 150,000-250,000 USD: 19,300-32,200
A Bronze Bell, Bo Early Warring States, Eastern Zhou Dynasty (475-221 BC) 33 cm. high (13 in.) HKD: 100,000-200,000 USD: 12,900-25,800
A Bronze 'Mythical Beast' Seating Weight Han Dynasty (206BC-AD220) 7 cm. diam. (2 3 /4 in.) HKD: 10,000-20,000 USD: 1,300-2,600
A Pair of Taotie Face Bronze Handles Han Dynasty (206BC-AD220) 7.6 cm. high ( 3 in.) HKD: 10,000-20,000 USD: 1,300-2,600
A Bronze 'Grapes' Mirror Tang Dynasty (618-907) 7.6 cm. diam. (3 in.) HKD: 10,000-20,000 USD: 1,300-2,600
A Bronze 'Grapes' Mirror Tang Dynasty (618-907) 17.3 cm. diam. (6 3 /4 in.) HKD: 100,000-200,000 USD: 12,900-25,800
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China Guardian Hong Kong 2015 Spring Auctions Lot No. Lot Name telephone bid Highest bid (commission not included)
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