Eastern Tibet. The flattened spherical body supported on a tall splayed foot and rising to a narrow cylindrical neck surmounted by a bud-form cover connected to the dragon-form handle with a chain, opposite the elegantly curved spout issuing from the mouth of a makara. The jug finely decorated with flat-inlays of silver sheet, the body with a central recessed medallion enclosing two confronted dragons, encircled by dense lotus scroll as well as evenly spaced Shou characters, the neck similarly decorated with foliate designs and the foot with a band of ruyi-heads.

Provenance: French trade. Acquired from a private family estate, where it has been for at least since the 1950s, by repute.
Condition: Good condition with minor wear, small dents, few nicks, and light scratches. Fine, naturally grown patina.

Weight: 3.6 kg
Dimensions: Height 39 cm

This vessel form, of central Asian origin, was probably adapted by Tibetan craftsmen from Chinese models. It combines typically Tibetan motifs, such as the dragon handle and makara spout, with Chinese design elements including Shou characters and ruyi heads.

Expert's note: Ewers this type were made until the start of the 20th century in Derge and Chamdo in eastern Tibet, an area renowned for its skilled silver- and ironsmiths. The technique was a specialty of the area. In the case of the present lot, the craftsman laid thin strips of silver sheet onto the surface of roughened iron and then gently hammered them down.

Literature comparison:
Compare a closely related iron jug damascened in gold, silver, and copper, dated 18th-19th century, in the Victoria and Albert Museum, accession number IM.22-1928.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Koller, Zurich, 4 June 2019, lot 134
Price: CHF 6,875 or approx. EUR 7,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A fine and large silver-damascened iron beer jug, Eastern Tibet, Kham [Chamdo], ca. 18th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related form, decoration, motifs, and materials. Note the size (42 cm).