Bonhams
Lot 231
A FINE PARCEL-GILT SILVER-WIRE-INLAID BRONZE PEAR-SHAPED VASE17th centuryThe bulbous pear-shaped body and tall slender flaring neck raised on a slightly-spreading foot, the body with four lotus blossoms, between bands of highly-intricate stylised foliage on a ring-punched ground, the upper part of the neck with a key-fret border of inlaid silver. 23cm (9in) high.Footnotes:Please note this Lot is to be sold at No Reserve. 本拍品不設底價十七世紀 局部鎏金銅嵌銀纏枝蓮紋膽瓶 The present lot is particularly finely cast, with formal lotus scrolls, brilliantly gilt in contrast to the dark delicately-stippled ground, offset by a more subtle silver-inlaid key-fret band beneath the gilt rim. The lotus blossoms are spread elegantly across the bulbous body of the vase, giving a grounded weight to the body in contrast to the lighter slender neck. Such detailed and expert workmanship is typical of the finest craftsmanship produced at the workshops of the late Ming metal workers who sometimes signed their work, such as Hu Wenming, Zhu Chenming and Wu Daolong and this strongly suggests that the present lot should be included within the canon of their work: see the discussion of the stylistic elements of Hu Wenming's work by U.Hausmann, 'Later Chinese Bronzes, In Search of Later Bronzes', published by Sydney Moss Ltd., Documentary Chinese Works of Art: In Scholars' Taste, London, 1983, pp.230-238. It is notable, however, that the present vase is of unusually large size, compared to the typically smaller items intended for scholarly use produced at these leading Ming workshops.The present lot is related to a smaller parcel-gilt vase illustrated by G.Tsang and H.Moss, Arts from the Scholar's Studio, Hong Kong, 1986, pp.240-241, no.230, and inscribed on the base 'Hu Wenming zuo'. Compare also a parcel-gilt box and cover with similar lotus to the present lot, signed Zhu Chenming and dated 16th/17th century, illustrated by R.Kerr, Later Chinese Bronzes, London, 1990, p.54, no.42. Hu Wenming (circa 1560-1620) from Yunjian (present-day Songjiang) in the vibrant cultural and economic hub known as Jiangnan, was one of the most celebrated late Ming metalworkers. The master and his workshop were particularly known for creating pieces with glittering gilt, intricate designs, and for the use of silver-wire inlay. The anonymous author of the Ming dynasty Yunjian zazhi (Yunjian Records) comments admiringly on the skill, elegance and desirability of Hu's work, and the high prices his pieces commanded; see R.Kerr, ibid., p.52.For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com
