A LARGE AND IMPRESSIVE ARCHAISTIC GOLD-INLAID BRONZE VESSEL (HU) QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY

finely cast with a pear-shaped body supported on a tall pedestal foot, the mouth encircled by a key-fret band above bands of archaistic phoenix, whorl roundels, taotie, pendent blades and kuilong, each band inlaid with gold, the decoration in relief against a leiwen ground intersected with notched flanges, the sides set with opposing phoenix handles, the base with a four-line inscription in archaic script taken from the Bo Junfu ding

Thomas V. Paul, acquired prior to 1949, and thence by descent.

There is also silver inlay on the vessel, which has been tarnished. There are chips to a number of flanges, and one flange has a crack. There are nicks and chips around the edge of the foot and mouth, some small losses to the inlay, a minute hole in the base with an associated crack, and some small patches of minor surface corrosion, as well as age related wear. The casting is crisp.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Vessels such as the present lot reflect the Chinese literati's love of archaism and their reverence for what they considered to be China's golden age - the Western Zhou dynasty. 

After the Western Zhou, China was fragmented into a number of smaller states and later generations of scholars continually sought to reclaim and revive the qualities of the idealized Western Zhou gentleman. One simple method, which could easily be put on display, was to own Western Zhou-style vessels. This reverence is further reinforced by the inscription on the base of the present lot which is taken from a Western Zhou dynasty ding, which appears to be no longer extant, but whose likeness and inscription is preserved in ink rubbings.  The inscription may be translated as 'Bo Junfu made this precious vessel for his imperial ancestors Xi Bo and Wu Ji, may his sons and grandsons treasure and use it for ten thousand years', and reads Bo Junfu zuo zhen huangkao Xi Bo, Wu Ji, qi wan nian zizi sunsun yong bao yong.

A vessel of similar size, shape and decoration, dated to the late Qing dynasty was sold in these rooms, 30th March 2006, lot 146; another, slightly smaller at 18½ in., dated 18th century, was sold in our London rooms, 10th November 2010, lot 19.