明十六／十七世紀 銅貼金銀仿古雙耳三足小蓋鼎

the compressed globular body set with a pair of rounded arch handles, rising from three cabriole legs to a fitted domed cover surmounted with three small rings, finely inlaid in gold and silver, the cover centred with a quatrefoil whorl motif within double circles, surrounded by a band of stylized adorned kui dragons, the body decorated with a similar archaistic frieze above three triangular cartouches enclosing scrolls, the feet with interlocking 'C' motifs, the metal patinated to brown with patches of green oxidization

Rolf Cunliffe 勛爵收藏（編號A126）
Bluett and Sons，倫敦

There are some surface wear consistent with age, but otherwise in quite good condition.
"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 miniature ding form vessel represents a small group of finely inlaid miniature objects after archaic bronze forms and made from the Song dynasty to the late Ming period. Vessels in this group were placed in small display cabinets for the scholar's studio which had become a standard practice and needed filling with objects of ancient resonance. See a miniature fanghu form vessel decorated with silver and gold-wire inlay, from the collection of Arthur M. Sackler, included in the exhibition China Institute of America, Early Chinese miniatures, New York, 1977, cat. no. 221, together with an inlaid zun, pl. 222, also from the Sackler collection with both vessels attributed to the Song dynasty. Compare also a bronze hu with gold and silver inlaid motif of archaistic dragons, in the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, included ibid., cat. no. 223.

Compare also a miniature bronze bucket with gold and silver inlay, from the collection of Mrs. Walter Sedgwick, illustrated in R. Soame Jenyns and William Watson, Chinese Art, London, 1963, p. 106, pl. 43, where the authors note that 'like the miniature vessels made in the fine porcelain of the Southern Sung period, this small bronze is a collector's toy. The style of the inlaid ornament is an adaptation of the pre-Han designs, which are copied with fair fidelity in the detail, though the total effect is quite unlike the ancient models'.