AN ARCHAISTIC SILVER-INLAID BRONZE COVERED EWER, GONG
Qing Dynasty
The pear-form body encircled by a raised band inlaid with cloud motifs, set to one side with a small loop handle, the S-shaped rim supporting an owl-head-form cover head cover attached to the body by a loop-and-bar hinge, the tip of the cover with a moveable flap.

14in (35.5cm) high
Footnotes:
During the Ming dynasty, appreciation for antiques was widespread, and detailed catalogs showcasing Shang and Zhou dynasty bronzes provided workshops with additional design inspiration. The present vessel ingeniously synthesizes two well-documented forms: the hu shape derived from Zhou dynasty ritual vessels, and the guang shape from Shang dynasty handled wine ewers. Wine vessels combining the hu form with an animal shape were already in production during the latter portion of the Zhou dynasty. One example is illustrated in The Complete Collection of Chinese Bronzes Beijing, 1997, p.28, no.27.

A very similar 18th century silver-inlaid 'owl' vase from the Michael Goedhuis Collection sold in our London rooms, 17 May 2023, lot 384; and a Ming dynasty version sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 30 November 2022, lot 139.