A gold and silver-inlaid bronze arrow vase, Song - Ming dynasty

Christie's London, 1st November 1982, lot 94.

Peter Kemp Antiques, London.

This vase was, in Hausmann’s view, one of the most important pieces in his collection, which he believed could prove the coexistence of abstract and naturalist and classical concepts in bronzes from as early as the Song or Yuan dynasties. It is indeed extremely rare to see a piece of this type, combining the intricate low-relief designs of Song and Yuan wares with the bold archaistic inlaid motifs associated with the later Ming. Compare an inlaid ‘champion’ vase of similar decorative style from the collection of Michael Goedhuis, sold at Bonhams London, 17th May 2023, lot 373; and a bovine gong ewer with high-relief gold clouds on a ground of flame scrolls, sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 6th April 2015, lot 168.