China, 18th century or earlier. With three donor seals, including “Chen Wenjiao yin” and “Jingbo”. Sturdily potted in imitation of a patinated bronze hu vase in the style of the Song to Ming dynasties.
Condition: Old wear and casting flaws, the upper rim with some chips, the foot rim with minor losses, the vase with several old cracks. Provenance: German private collection.
Weight: 4,386 g Dimensions: Height 48.3 cm
The vase with two curved handles issuing from dragon heads, the sides with circular reserves showing cherry blossoms and lotus with lingzhi, the upper rim with a leiwen band, florets and pendant lappets, the splayed foot with diaper patterns.
Literature comparison: For other vases made to imitate archaic bronze vessels compare: Regina Krahl, Chinese Ceramics from the Meiyintang Collection, vol. 2, London 1994, no. 953 for a Qianlong vase; Kangxi Yongzheng Qianlong, Hong Kong 1989, p. 394, no. 75 for a green-glazed and gilt example in the Palace Museum, Beijing; Qian Zhenzong, Qingdai ciqi shangjian, Hong Kong 1994, no. 152 for a fanghu with a blue-green ‘patina’ and gilt relief decoration, and no. 153 for a brownglazed hu; John Ayers, Chinese Ceramics in the Baur Collection, vol. 2, pl. 252 for a gilt gu vase and pl. 253 for a Jiaqing-marked jar imitating inlaid bronze.