Chinese Art Online: A Private Asian Collection

亞洲私人珍藏中國藝術品網上專場

Online Auction: 12–19 January 2023 • 10:00 AM HKT • Hong Kong | 網上拍賣：2023年1月12-19日 • 上午 10:00 HKT • 香港

Chinese Art Online: A Private Asian Collection 12–19 January 2023 • 10:00 AM HKT • Hong Kong

T he sale encompasses a diverse range of early Chinese artworks from a private Asian collection assembled from international auctions and art dealers. The highlight of the sale is a group of gold and silver objects formerly in the Laiyantang collection, on loan to the Asian Civilisations Museum in Singapore from 1997-2005.

Laiyantang Collection of Chinese gold and silver on display at the Asian Civilisations Museum in Singapore from 1997-2005.
來燕堂藏中國金銀器曾於1997-2005年間借展於新加坡亞洲文明博物館

Laiyantang Collection of Chinese gold and silver on display at the Asian Civilisations Museum in Singapore from 1997-2005.
來燕堂藏中國金銀器曾於1997-2005年間借展於新加坡亞洲文明博物館

此次專場欣呈一組亞洲私人珍藏之中國早期藝術精品，藏家從國際拍賣會及著名藝術商各處覓得稀珍。焦點拍品為來燕堂舊藏金銀器，於1997-2005年間借展於新加坡亞洲文明博物館。

Highlights of Gold and Silver in the Laiyantang Collection 來燕堂舊藏金銀器選粹

Two gold and silver-inlaid bronze ferrules, Eastern Zhou dynasty, Warring States period - Han dynasty 東周戰國至漢銅錯金銀鐏一組兩件

Two gold and silver-inlaid bronze ferrules, Eastern Zhou dynasty, Warring States period - Han dynasty 東周戰國至漢銅錯金銀鐏一組兩件

Estimate: 10,000 – 15,000 HKD

Chinese Art Online: A Private Asian Collection

12–19 January 2023 | 10:00 AM HKT | Hong Kong

An Ordos repoussé gold sheet 'tiger' plaque, 3rd - 2nd century BC 公元前三至二世紀鄂爾多斯虎噬羊金片飾

An Ordos repoussé gold sheet 'tiger' plaque, 3rd - 2nd century BC 公元前三至二世紀鄂爾多斯虎噬羊金片飾

Estimate: 10,000 – 15,000 HKD

Chinese Art Online: A Private Asian Collection

12–19 January 2023 | 10:00 AM HKT | Hong Kong

A silver-inlaid and gold sheet-embellished bronze belt hook, Eastern Zhou dynasty 東周銅錯銀貼金龍紋帶鉤

A silver-inlaid and gold sheet-embellished bronze belt hook, Eastern Zhou dynasty 東周銅錯銀貼金龍紋帶鉤

Estimate: 10,000 – 15,000 HKD

Chinese Art Online: A Private Asian Collection

12–19 January 2023 | 10:00 AM HKT | Hong Kong

A set of gold-sheet embellished bronze 'tiger' staff finial and ferrule, Eastern Zhou dynasty 東周青銅包金虎紋杖首及杖鐓一套兩件

A set of gold-sheet embellished bronze 'tiger' staff finial and ferrule, Eastern Zhou dynasty 東周青銅包金虎紋杖首及杖鐓一套兩件

Estimate: 10,000 – 15,000 HKD

Chinese Art Online: A Private Asian Collection

12–19 January 2023 | 10:00 AM HKT | Hong Kong

A set of four gold-alloy animal-mask form fittings, Eastern Zhou dynasty 東周金合金獸面紋飾一組四件

A set of four gold-alloy animal-mask form fittings, Eastern Zhou dynasty 東周金合金獸面紋飾一組四件

Estimate: 10,000 – 15,000 HKD

Chinese Art Online: A Private Asian Collection

12–19 January 2023 | 10:00 AM HKT | Hong Kong

A gold repoussé leaf-form 'phoenix' plaque, Liao dynasty 遼金錘鍱鳳凰紋葉形牌飾

A gold repoussé leaf-form 'phoenix' plaque, Liao dynasty 遼金錘鍱鳳凰紋葉形牌飾

Estimate: 10,000 – 15,000 HKD

Chinese Art Online: A Private Asian Collection

12–19 January 2023 | 10:00 AM HKT | Hong Kong

Two silver-inlaid bronze ferrules, Eastern Zhou dynasty 東周銅錯銀鐏一組兩件

Two silver-inlaid bronze ferrules, Eastern Zhou dynasty 東周銅錯銀鐏一組兩件

Estimate: 10,000 – 15,000 HKD

Chinese Art Online: A Private Asian Collection

12–19 January 2023 | 10:00 AM HKT | Hong Kong

A gilt and silvered bronze 'bird' belt hook, Eastern Zhou dynasty, Warring States period 東周戰國銅鎏金銀鳥紋帶鉤

A gilt and silvered bronze 'bird' belt hook, Eastern Zhou dynasty, Warring States period 東周戰國銅鎏金銀鳥紋帶鉤

Estimate: 10,000 – 15,000 HKD

Chinese Art Online: A Private Asian Collection

12–19 January 2023 | 10:00 AM HKT | Hong Kong

A gold-sheet embellished bronze 'horse' plaque, Eastern Zhou dynasty, Warring States period 東周戰國青銅貼金雙馬牌飾

A gold-sheet embellished bronze 'horse' plaque, Eastern Zhou dynasty, Warring States period 東周戰國青銅貼金雙馬牌飾

Estimate: 10,000 – 15,000 HKD

Chinese Art Online: A Private Asian Collection

12–19 January 2023 | 10:00 AM HKT | Hong Kong

Archaic Bronzes from the Shang and Zhou dynasties商周青銅禮器

Bronze ritual objects bear the mystery of their origin. Through a perfect harmony of form, decoration, and inscriptions, the Chinese bronze vessel with its engraved animal motifs represents the earliest narrative that predates the written word, and the height of technological and artistic expression in an ancient period of history.

The bronze vessels are an interaction between art and ritual, reflecting the spiritual aspirations from the early beginnings of the Shang and Zhou dynasties to secure harmony and order. Central in the ritual practices that protected the earthly realm, the bronze ritual objects served as a tangible symbol of political legitimacy and the divine authority bestowed upon ancient rulers. From the fanghu and flared gu, which both held wine during the ceremonies, to the all-important ding, each vessel shape had specific functions and fascinating history.

青銅禮器起源神秘，引人入勝，器型、紋飾及銘文協調和諧完美，動物紋飾是最古老的敘事途徑，比文字出現更早，並代表了古代歷史上技術和藝術的驕人成就。

青銅器是藝術品也是禮器，兩種身份互動相連，從中可理解商周初期開始，古人在精神上追求和諧與秩序，是這些高古宗教儀式的重心，也是天子權威的象徵，宣示其權位乃由天授。不同器型的青銅器各有功用及典故，如方壺、觚為儀式上的盛酒器，爵帶三足，觚口外撇，鼎則屬重器，編制龐大。

Highlights 青銅器選粹

A pair of large archaic bronze ritual wine vessels and cover, fanghu, Late Western Zhou - Eastern Zhou dynasty, early Spring and Autumn period 西周末至東周春秋初青銅蟠螭紋獸耳帶蓋方壺一對

A pair of large archaic bronze ritual wine vessels and cover, fanghu, Late Western Zhou - Eastern Zhou dynasty, early Spring and Autumn period 西周末至東周春秋初青銅蟠螭紋獸耳帶蓋方壺一對

Estimate: 400,000 – 600,000 HKD

Chinese Art Online: A Private Asian Collection

12–19 January 2023 | 10:00 AM HKT | Hong Kong

An archaic bronze ritual wine vessel, gu, Late Shang dynasty 商末青銅芭蕉獸面紋出戟觚

An archaic bronze ritual wine vessel, gu, Late Shang dynasty 商末青銅芭蕉獸面紋出戟觚

Estimate: 300,000 – 400,000 HKD

Chinese Art Online: A Private Asian Collection

12–19 January 2023 | 10:00 AM HKT | Hong Kong

An archaic bronze wine vessel, lei, Eastern Zhou dynasty, Spring and Autumn period 東周春秋青銅夔龍耳繩紋罍

An archaic bronze wine vessel, lei, Eastern Zhou dynasty, Spring and Autumn period 東周春秋青銅夔龍耳繩紋罍

Estimate: 200,000 – 300,000 HKD

Chinese Art Online: A Private Asian Collection

12–19 January 2023 | 10:00 AM HKT | Hong Kong

An inscribed archaic bronze ritual wine vessel, zun, Late Shang - early Western Zhou dynasty 商末至西周初戈父辛尊

An inscribed archaic bronze ritual wine vessel, zun, Late Shang - early Western Zhou dynasty 商末至西周初戈父辛尊

Estimate: 200,000 – 300,000 HKD

Chinese Art Online: A Private Asian Collection

12–19 January 2023 | 10:00 AM HKT | Hong Kong

An archaic bronze tripod food vessel, ding, Eastern Zhou dynasty, Warring States period 東周戰國青銅獸足鼎

An archaic bronze tripod food vessel, ding, Eastern Zhou dynasty, Warring States period 東周戰國青銅獸足鼎

Estimate: 80,000 – 100,000 HKD

Chinese Art Online: A Private Asian Collection

12–19 January 2023 | 10:00 AM HKT | Hong Kong

An inscribed archaic bronze ritual food vessel, Gui, Western Zhou dynasty 西周青銅銘文簋

An inscribed archaic bronze ritual food vessel, Gui, Western Zhou dynasty 西周青銅銘文簋

Estimate: 200,000 – 300,000 HKD

Estimate: 200,000 – 300,000 HKD

Chinese Art Online: A Private Asian Collection

12–19 January 2023 | 10:00 AM HKT | Hong Kong

An inscribed archaic bronze ritual wine vessel, gu, Late Shang dynasty 商末京觚

An inscribed archaic bronze ritual wine vessel, gu, Late Shang dynasty 商末京觚

Estimate: 100,000 – 150,000 HKD

Chinese Art Online: A Private Asian Collection

12–19 January 2023 | 10:00 AM HKT | Hong Kong

A pair of archaic bronze ritual food vessels, pu, Late Western Zhou dynasty 西周末青銅鏤空龍紋鋪一對

A pair of archaic bronze ritual food vessels, pu, Late Western Zhou dynasty 西周末青銅鏤空龍紋鋪一對

Estimate: 150,000 – 200,000 HKD

Estimate: 150,000 – 200,000 HKD

Chinese Art Online: A Private Asian Collection

12–19 January 2023 | 10:00 AM HKT | Hong Kong

A pair of inscribed bronze food vessels and covers, dou, Eastern Zhou dynasty 東周青銅銘文高足豆一對

A pair of inscribed bronze food vessels and covers, dou, Eastern Zhou dynasty 東周青銅銘文高足豆一對

Estimate: 80,000 – 100,000 HKD

Chinese Art Online: A Private Asian Collection

12–19 January 2023 | 10:00 AM HKT | Hong Kong

Horses and Chariots青銅車馬器

The horse was first domesticated on the Eurasian Steppe. The domestication of horses had a great impact on civilization; it revolutionized warfare, facilitated migration, trade and interaction between cultures. Chariots, spoked wheels and bronze metallurgy appears to have arrived in China along with the domestic horse. Bronze chariot fittings have subsequently become an important symbol, signifying status, power and glamour in China, as chariots could only be used by nobles and high-ranking troops.

歷代對馬車的配置有著嚴格規定，各等級或場合使用的馬車配置有所不同，不可逾越，而車馬輿服制度於西周一朝趨於完善。車馬器指的為古代馬車的青銅配件。每件配件不但具實際及裝飾功用，器物雖小，卻能以小見大，是一種當朝等級制度的體現，反映主人的社會地位。

A group of four gold and silver-inlaid bronze fittings, Eastern Zhou dynasty, Warring States period - Han dynasty 東周戰國至漢銅錯金銀車馬飾及垂飾一組四件

A group of four gold and silver-inlaid bronze fittings, Eastern Zhou dynasty, Warring States period - Han dynasty 東周戰國至漢銅錯金銀車馬飾及垂飾一組四件

Estimate: 10,000 – 15,000 HKD

Chinese Art Online: A Private Asian Collection

12–19 January 2023 | 10:00 AM HKT | Hong Kong

Two silver-inlaid bronze chariot fittings, Eastern Zhou dynasty, Warring States period 東周戰國銅錯銀筒形車馬飾一組兩件

Two silver-inlaid bronze chariot fittings, Eastern Zhou dynasty, Warring States period 東周戰國銅錯銀筒形車馬飾一組兩件

Estimate: 50,000 – 70,000 HKD

Chinese Art Online: A Private Asian Collection

12–19 January 2023 | 10:00 AM HKT | Hong Kong

Two sets of bronze axle caps and linchpins, Eastern Zhou dynasty 東周青銅軎轄兩套

Two sets of bronze axle caps and linchpins, Eastern Zhou dynasty 東周青銅軎轄兩套

Estimate: 30,000 – 50,000 HKD

Chinese Art Online: A Private Asian Collection

12–19 January 2023 | 10:00 AM HKT | Hong Kong

A pair of bronze 'mask' chariot fittings, Western Zhou dynasty 西周青銅獸面紋車馬飾一對

A pair of bronze 'mask' chariot fittings, Western Zhou dynasty 西周青銅獸面紋車馬飾一對

Estimate: 50,000 – 70,000 HKD

Chinese Art Online: A Private Asian Collection

12–19 January 2023 | 10:00 AM HKT | Hong Kong

Six gold sheet-embellished bronze fittings 東周戰國青銅貼金車馬飾五件及元或更早青銅貼金龍形飾件一件

Six gold sheet-embellished bronze fittings 東周戰國青銅貼金車馬飾五件及元或更早青銅貼金龍形飾件一件

Estimate: 10,000 – 15,000 HKD

Chinese Art Online: A Private Asian Collection

12–19 January 2023 | 10:00 AM HKT | Hong Kong

Animals in Chinese Bronzes青銅器中的動物造型

Bixie 辟邪
Bear 熊
Dragon 蟠龍
Horse 馬
Tapir 貘
Bird 鳥
Tortoise 龜

A pair of bronze 'chimera' weights, Han dynasty

The present weights are cast in the form of a chimaera, generally known as bixie (literally 'to avert evil spirits'), standing on a mountainous rock base. Bronze animals of Han dynasty generally had a functional purpose, being cast as weights, fittings, tallies, belt hooks or supports. Such bronzes were most probably used in daily life, even if some were eventually buried with important personalities.

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A set of three glass-inlaid gilt-bronze 'bear' supports, Han dynasty

Animal-form supports of this type were made to serve as supports for vessels such as lian, zun or pan; for example, see two Han dynasty gilt-bronze vessels with crouching bear feet, one preserved in the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC, accession no. S1987.341a-b, the other preserved in the Bejing Palace Museum.

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A lacquered and copper-inlaid bronze 'dragon' stand, Eastern Zhou dynasty, Spring and Autumn period

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A pair of bronze figures of horses, Tang dynasty

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A small inscribed bronze tapir, Eastern Zhou dynasty, Warring States period

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A silver-inlaid bronze 'bird' staff finial, Eastern Zhou dynasty, Warring States period

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A set of four bronze 'tortoise' weights, Han dynasty

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Chinese Art Online: A Private Asian Collection

12–19 January 2023 | 10:00 AM HKT | Hong Kong

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