A LARGE BRONZE ARROW-HANDLED VASE SOUTHERN SONG / YUAN DYNASTY

robustly cast with a pear-shaped body rising to a waisted neck and slightly everted rim, the neck flanked by a pair of tubular lug handles cast in low relief with taotie masks, the neck with a broad band divided into two registers by two raised fillets, the upper register with a leiwen band, the lower with two further taotie masks, the patina of an attractive chocolate-brown colour

minor nicks to the mouth and foot. General surface wear
"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."

This is in Hausmann’s opinion not only the largest but most finely cast example of an early bronze arrow-handled vase he has ever seen. For a smaller example with closely related cast decoration, but over the whole surface of the vessel, not just at the neck as on the current vase, see Sydney L. Moss Ltd., The Second Bronze Age. Later Chinese Metalwork, London, 1991, cat. no. 72. Reference is made to the 1977 publication of A Special Exhibition of Cultural Relics found off Sinan Coast, where plates 287-291 illustrate several 14th century bronze vases of this type.