明 銅貼金銀仿古環帶紋雙獸耳壺

modelled after Western Zhou bronzes, the pear-shaped body supported on a splayed foot and rising to a broad slightly waisted neck flanked by two loop handles issuing from horned mythical animal heads, the centre register cast with two undulating bands filled with stylized angular scrolls, between a band of hooked and beaked birds above the shoulder and rectangular lappets encircling the foot, the neck similarly decorated with an undulating band filled with angular scrolls, all inlaid with gold, silver and copper, with incised details, the metal patinated to a gun-metal-grey tone with patches of malachite and cuprite encrustation   

香港蘇富比1983年5月14日，編號627

The footrim is dented and has a 12.5 x 0.6 cm restored section. There are some minor casting flaws and further minor dents around the mouth rim. There are some old repairs to the joints of the handles, as well as to the joint between the body and the foot. The lower body above the foot has a few pits (max. 0.5 cm) possibly due to corrosion. There is also some minor wear to the surface of the vase, especially to the gilt decoration.
"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."

The present hu form vase is comparable to a vase from the Michael Goedhuis collection that was on loan at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art between 1989 and 2006 (L89.23.1) and is illustrated in Michael Goedhuis, Chinese and Japanese Bronzes, AD 1100-1900, London, 1989, pl. 41.
 
See also a pear-form vessel with handles dated by inscription to 1173 of the Song dynasty, in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, published in Rose Kerr, Later Chinese Bronzes, London, 1990, pl. 31, together with three further hu examples, pls. 1, 34-6 and 37-8, where Kerr describes how the metal content of all of these vases is the same and the decoration bands were 'probably applied separately to a core model before casting', forming a repertory that could be duplicated on other bronzes.

Compare also a bronze hu sold in our New York rooms, 20th November 1973, lot 55, formerly in the collection of the Marion and Walter Beck Foundation at Innisfree, Millbrook, New York; and a larger example, also sold in our New York rooms, 27th February 1981, lot 282.