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A fine and rare cast and chased parcel-gilt bronze incense tool vase, supported on a low foot rim, the body and slender neck decorate din gilded low relief with dragon amid clouds above a carp swimming amidst crested waves on a ring-punched ground. The underside of the recessed foot with a chiseled four-character mark in rounded seal script hu wen ming zhi (made by Hu Wenming) in a square gilded reserve.
Bottle Vase
Courtesy of the Harn Museum of Art, Photography by Randy Batista

Bottle Vase

Artist Hu Wenming (Chinese, active late 16th - early 17th century)
Date17th century
Place of originChina, Asia
MediumBronze
DimensionsHeight x Diameter: 3 7/8 x 1 1/2 in. (9.8 x 3.8 cm)
ClassificationsFurnishings and Equipment
Credit LineBequest of Dr. David A. Cofrin
Object number2009.48.55
Collections
Visual DescriptionGerard Hawthorn invoice description:
A fine and rare cast and chased parcel-gilt bronze incense tool vase, supported on a low foot rim, the body and slender neck decorate din gilded low relief with dragon amid clouds above a carp swimming amidst crested waves on a ring-punched ground. The underside of the recessed foot with a chiseled four-character mark in rounded seal script hu wen ming zhi (made by Hu Wenming) in a square gilded reserve.

Christie's appraisal description:
Cast with a dragon clutching a flaming pearl amidst crashing waves, Hu Wenming mark to base
The sides cast with various auspicious emblems, flowers and fruit sprigs and a butterfly, the base with Hu Wenming mark, wear to gilding
Jar
Hu Wenming
17th century
bombe-form censer with central band of waves and mythical sea creatures
Censer with Mythical Creatures
Hu Wenming
Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), 16th-17th century
A fine cloisonné enamel vase of globular bottle form with a cylindrical neck and low gilt foot rim, decorated with ruyi-head lappets at the foot and around the shoulder; the body decorated with formalized lotus flowers, leaves and stems; the neck decorated with flowers above tall leaf-form lappets; all enameled in red, yellow, white, lapis blue, light and dark green, and aubergine on a turquoise ground.
Miniature Bottle Vase
Chinese Artist
18th Century
Doucai Bowl with Dragon Design
Doucai Bowl with Dragon Design
Chinese Artist
Qing dynasty (1644-1911), Yongzheng reign (1723-1735)
A fine miniature bronze hu of rounded pear shape with flared mouth rim, supported on a low foot set at the neck with two solid tubular handles, decorated with two stylized phoenix inlaid in scrolling silver wire and silver sheet, partially covered by areas of heavily applied archaistic style encrustation.
Hu
Chinese Artist
17th century or later
A high-shouldered vase with ring handles decorated with design of magnolia and peony blossoms.
Incense Tool Vase
Hu Wenming
Ming dynasty (1368-1644)
Black and white print of three figures and several horses amidst waves of water.
Horses Bathing #1
Thomas Handforth
undated
Black and white print of one figure and several horses amidst waves of water.
Horses Bathing #4
Thomas Handforth
undated
Bowl with the interior carved in high relief with two fish amidst waves, with Lingzhi and pomegranate.
Bowl
Chinese Artist
18th century or later
Well carved with an attendant holding a brush clinging to the rear haunches of the stocky elephant as it turns its head to the side, the blanket draped over its back decorated with fish leaping from waves below a yinyang symbol, the greyish-buff stone with dark brown veining (description taken from Christie's auction results, not donor appraisal
Elephant
Chinese Artist
17th-18th century
Carved with a pair of birds perched in prunus and chrysanthemum
Baluster Vase
Chinese Artist
Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), Qianlong period (1736-1795)
Robe woven from threads of silk and gold, five-clawed dragons, clouds, flaming jewels appear against a rich blue ground above patterns of waves and mountains. Scattered among the dragons are cranes and other auspicious symbols.
Imperial Semi-Formal Court Robe 藍地雲龍紋吉服
Chinese Artist
18th-19th century

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