A FINE GOLD GARMENT-HOOK WARRING STATES PERIOD

elegantly cast in a curved 'S' profile and surmounted by a goose head hook with an elongated beak, the long slender neck gracefully tapering into a wide and slightly domed body, a round button set on the back for attachment 

Chinese Gold and Silver in the Carl Kempe Collection, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., 1954-55, cat. no. 12.

Bo Gyllensvärd, Chinese Gold and Silver in the Carl Kempe Collection, Stockholm, 1953, pl. 12.

Chinese Gold and Silver in the Carl Kempe Collection, The Museum of Art and Far Eastern Antiquities in Ulricehamn, Ulricehamn, 1999, pl. 12.

The belt hook is in overall very good condition. It shows very light surface wear and light scratching.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Unlike garment hooks cast in bronze or iron, gold garment-hooks are rare. Four gold garment-hooks similarly rendered with realistically portrayed goose heads were found among the burial goods in the tomb of the Marquis Yi of Zeng at Sui Xian in Hubei province, illustrated in Zhongguo meishu quanji. Gongyi meishu bian, vol. 10, Beijing, 1987, pl. 19.

Simple goose-headed garment-hooks cast in bronze were also unearthed from Ordos sites of the Warring States period in Inner Mongolia, illustrated in Erduosi shi qingtong qi, Beijing, 1986, pl. 74:2:3.