**Originally Listed At $2500**

East Asia, China, Han Dynasty, 206 BCE to 220 CE. An elegant, pear shaped hu vessel, the iconographic program of this piece comes to life with two taotie masks that are affixed with ring handles on opposite sides of the body. These stylized animals represent a type of dragon from Chinese mythology. Their abstracted visages reflect the influence of previous eras such as those of the Zhou Dynasty. Further adorning the vessel are circumferential bands at midline, junction of body and neck, rim, and base. The vessel is blessed with its original lid which is rare and, quite simply, extremely good luck. An attractive green patina adds brilliant color and texture to the vessel. This vessel would have been used for the storage and transport of sumptuous wines, as during the Han Dynasty, the tradition of casting bronze vessels for use in ritual libation ceremonies continued and flourished. The shapes of such precious vessels were subject to many stylistic restrictions and guidelines. Size: 8.5" Diameter x 13" H (21.6 cm x 33 cm)

Only a wealthy merchant or member of court could afford the luxury of such a fine vessel. This piece was ultimately placed in a tomb as a symbol for the bountiful pleasures of life, drinking and feasting, to be experienced in the afterlife. The taotie is one of the "four fiends" or "four evil creatures" of Chinese mythology, and it is a particularly fascinating and ancient symbol seen on ancient bronzes. In the Lushi Chunqiu, known in English as Master Lu's Spring and Autumn Annals, a Chinese encyclopedia compiled around 239 BCE, the taotie is described thusly: "The taotie on Zhou bronzes has a head but no body. When it eats people, it does not swallow them, but harms them" (16/3a Prophecy). This and other ancient descriptions of the creature suggest that it related to making food offerings/sacrifices for the insatiable spirits of the dead. Some scholars believe that the creature is part of the mysterious communication between people and the gods.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Provenance: private Vero Beach, Florida, USA collection, acquired before 2003

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#177320

Very good with exception of small stress crack to right of one handle on body and some minor restoration to hoops on lid. Beautiful patina throughout and earthen encrustions on interior.