Lot 248
  • 248

A Silver-Inlaid Bronze Cuspidor, Zhadou Made for Liao Tengkui, Qing Dynasty, Late 17th / Early 18th Century

Estimate
150,000 - 250,000 HKD
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Description

  • bronze inlaid with silver
the compressed spherical body gently rising to a flaring cylindrical neck, supported on a recessed flat circular foot, the exterior intricately decorated with an inlaid silver-wire design, the main central bulb with three taotie masks amidst stylised leiwen scroll, the neck with eight cicada lappets above a stylised key-fret band, the foot cast with a square cartouche enclosing a four-character zhuanshu inscription Shenxiu tang yin (‘Seal of the Hall of Careful Cultivation’)

Provenance

John Sparks Ltd., London, June 1979.

Exhibited

Gerard Tsang and Hugh Moss, Arts from the Scholar’s Studio, Fung Ping Shan Museum, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 1986, cat. no. 153.

Condition

There are several minor dents and scratches to the mouth rim and foot. Other general surface wear and minor areas of rubbing to the silver inlay. The patina is darker than in the catalogue photo.
"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."

Catalogue Note

The Hall of Careful Cultivation belong to the early Qing scholar Liao Tengkui (zi: Jianwu, hao: Lianshan), a native of Jiangle who was known for his personal integrity and attained his juren degree during the Kangxi period.  The use of silver-wire inlay, with its origin in archaic bronzes, became popular during the late Ming period, when it was widely used by the Hu Wenming and Shisou workshops.