China, 17th-18th century. Heavily cast, the globular body supported on a tall foot and surmounted by a waisted neck with galleried rim. Finely decorated to the body with a wide band enclosing taotie masks divided by narrow flanges against a leiwen ground, framed by narrower bands of stylized mythical birds to the neck and lower body, each with smaller taotie masks set with a total of six loop handles suspending loose rings. The interior neatly incised with lines at the neck. The recessed base cast with a lozenge pattern and a three-character mark.

Inscriptions: To the base, 'Zhen zhi zuo'.

Provenance: Prague trade. A private collection in Zagreb, Croatia, acquired from the above.
Condition: Very good condition with minor wear, traces of use, casting flaws, few light scratches, small nicks. The bronze with a fine, smooth, naturally grown patina with small scattered areas of malachite encrustation.

Weight: 4.3 g
Dimensions: Height 33 cm

Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Sotheby's New York, 16 March 2016, lot 343
Price: USD 10,000 or approx. EUR 12,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A bronze archaistic 'taotie' vase (hu), 17th/18th century
Expert remark: Compare the related form, design, and manner of casting with similar taotie masks. Note the handles and lack of loose rings.