10th Apr, 2025 11:00
TWO-DAY AUCTION: Fine Asian Art, Buddhism and Hinduism
81
A FINE GOLD-SPLASHED BRONZE INCENSE-TOOL VASE, 17TH CENTURY
Sold for €3,120
including Buyer's Premium
Published & Exhibited: Ben Janssens Oriental Art, TEFAF Maastricht, 14-23 March 2003, p. 64.
China. Well cast with a baluster body supported on a short tapered foot, the shoulder set with a pair of beast-mask handles and surmounted by a waisted neck with lipped rim, finely decorated with large and small gilt splashes against the rich brown patina.
Provenance: Ben Janssens Oriental Art, London, 2003. Ben Janssens opened his eponymous gallery in 1996 in London, specializing in early Chinese art. Previously he had been a director at Spink & Son. He also served as the Chairman of the Executive Committee of TEFAF Maastricht.
Condition: Very good condition with minor wear, casting irregularities, few minute dents around the base, minuscule nicks, and small surface scratches.
Weight: 437 g
Dimensions: Height 15.1 cm
Bronzes covered in an even pattern of gold flecks are generally referred to as ‘gold splash’ bronzes. In Later Chinese Bronzes (p. 39), Rose Kerr explains the technique of applying gold flecks to bronze: “[…] gold [is applied] in the form of a gold/mercury amalgam and then […] the vessel [is heated] to drive off the mercury. A small amount of gold was left adhering to the base metal since this method is particularly suitable for the application of very thin layers. The process could be repeated several times to build up layers of gold, if desired.”
Literature comparison:
Compare a related ovoid vase with similar gold splash decoration, dated to the Kangxi period, in the Phoenix Art Museum, object number 1994.423.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie’s Hong Kong, 27 November 2019, lot 2866
Price: HKD 437,500 or approx. EUR 58,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A gilt-splashed bronze jar, Qing dynasty, 17th-18th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related gold splash decoration as well as the related form and mask-handles. Note the apocryphal Xuande mark and the size (18 cm).
Published & Exhibited: Ben Janssens Oriental Art, TEFAF Maastricht, 14-23 March 2003, p. 64.
China. Well cast with a baluster body supported on a short tapered foot, the shoulder set with a pair of beast-mask handles and surmounted by a waisted neck with lipped rim, finely decorated with large and small gilt splashes against the rich brown patina.
Provenance: Ben Janssens Oriental Art, London, 2003. Ben Janssens opened his eponymous gallery in 1996 in London, specializing in early Chinese art. Previously he had been a director at Spink & Son. He also served as the Chairman of the Executive Committee of TEFAF Maastricht.
Condition: Very good condition with minor wear, casting irregularities, few minute dents around the base, minuscule nicks, and small surface scratches.
Weight: 437 g
Dimensions: Height 15.1 cm
Bronzes covered in an even pattern of gold flecks are generally referred to as ‘gold splash’ bronzes. In Later Chinese Bronzes (p. 39), Rose Kerr explains the technique of applying gold flecks to bronze: “[…] gold [is applied] in the form of a gold/mercury amalgam and then […] the vessel [is heated] to drive off the mercury. A small amount of gold was left adhering to the base metal since this method is particularly suitable for the application of very thin layers. The process could be repeated several times to build up layers of gold, if desired.”
Literature comparison:
Compare a related ovoid vase with similar gold splash decoration, dated to the Kangxi period, in the Phoenix Art Museum, object number 1994.423.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie’s Hong Kong, 27 November 2019, lot 2866
Price: HKD 437,500 or approx. EUR 58,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A gilt-splashed bronze jar, Qing dynasty, 17th-18th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related gold splash decoration as well as the related form and mask-handles. Note the apocryphal Xuande mark and the size (18 cm).
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