Rare Masque en Bronze Dynastie des Zhou Occidentaux, ca. XE-IXE siècle avant J.-C.

représentant une tête de félin, le front occupé par deux grandes oreilles lobées aplaties rappelant des têtes de ruyi parcourues de rainures curvilignes, le nez assez large et bombé orné de rainures, les yeux proéminents et obliques surmontés de rainures formant les sourcils, les moustaches dessinées par trois rainures ondulées, le museau aplati, la gueule figurée par une simple fente, au revers quatre bélières rubanées disposées verticalement, deux trous de fixation aux angles, la surface recouverte d'une riche patine verte et taches brunes, D.W 3017

Bronzes Chinois des Dynasties Tcheou, T'sin & Han, Musée de l’Orangerie, Paris, 1934, no. 99.
International Exhibition of Chinese Art, London, Royal Academy of Art, London, Royal Academy of Art, November 28, 1935 - March 7th, 1936, cat. no. 179.

Georges Salles, Bronzes Chinois des Dynasties Tcheou, T'sin & Han, Paris, 1934, cat. no. 99 (not illustrated). 
Catalogue of the International Exhibition of Chinese Art, London, 1935-1936, cat. no. 179.

One of the top corners of the mask is missing (visible in the catalogue illustration). The x-ray reveals a ca. 6x1,5cm wide area of restoration (possibly filled-in) above the mask's left eye and a second, ca. 1x1cm wide area of restoration below the mask's left eye with an associated crack extending ca. 2cm into the rim of the mask. The surface of the mask is smooth and with a light green and grey patina, the back of the mask shows four loops, one of them broken (with an associated area of restoration below the mask's left eye). The inventory number D.W. 3017 is inscribed in white on back above the mask's right eye.
"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 wonderfully expressive animal mask belongs to a small group of animal head masks all cast in the form of a tiger head, though the present piece may be considered one of the largest and most naturalistically rendered examples. For other, smaller examples, see Bernard Karlgren, 'Miscellaneous Notes on Some Bronzes', Bulletin of the Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities, no. 33, 1961, pl. 2, fig. 4; and Helmut Brinker, Bronzen aus dem Alten China, Zuerich, 1975, cat. no. 126.