A GILT-BRONZE RECUMBENT MYTHICAL BEAST PAPERWEIGHT MING DYNASTY

the reclining mythical beast, probably zouyu, with the head of a horse and a goat-like beard, its eyes of almond shape, set with a pair of central horns between the pointed ears, the mane with a mandala-like extension crowning the beast, its powerful feet with crisply-cast hooves tucked on either side, divided down the scale-covered body with flames emanating from the shoulders and haunches, the raised spine terminating at the tail curled around the left hind leg

Wing Hing Co., Hong Kong, January 1984.

Gerard Tsang and Hugh Moss, Arts from the Scholar’s Studio, Fung Ping Shan Museum, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 1986, cat. no. 194.

There is some expected rubbing and wear to the gilding, consistent with age and visible in the photo, but overall the condition is very good. There are some old minor dents to the tip of the mane, the muzzle and the tail of the mytical beast. The gilding is actually more glittering yellow and not tarnished as the illustration would suggest in the catalogue.
"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."

Modelled in the form of the rare mythical beast known as zouyu, a version of which is depicted in Fang Yulu, Fang shi mopu [The Fang Family compendium of inkcakes] and illustrated in Gerard Tsang and Hugh Moss, op.cit., p. 214, fig. 1, the present paperweight is exceptional for its realistic sculpturing, impressive body weight and substantial gilding.

A bronze sculpture of similar modeling and dimensions, attributed to the Ming Dynasty, is published in Michael Goedhuis Colnaghi Oriental, n.p., n.d.  Compare three further paperweights in the form of recumbent mythical beasts, from the Clague collection, illustrated in Robert D. Mowry, China’s Renaissance in Bronzes. The Robert H. Clague Collection of Later Chinese Bronzes 1100-1900, Phoenix, 1993, pls. 45-47. Mowry in ibid., p. 201, notes while bronze scroll weights (yachi) of elongated rectangular form are known from the Song dynasty, the date of the first appearance of animal-shaped versions remains unknown. The Ming scholar, Wen Zhenheng (1585-1645) mentions the use of bronze paperweights in the form of bluish-green toads, crouching tigers, chilong, sleeping dogs, recumbent horses and others in his work titled Zhangwu zhi [Treatise on superfluous things] (see ibid., p. 201).