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• Auction House:
  Bonhams Australia
• Sale Name:
  Asian Art
• Sale Date:
  07 Dec 2022 ~ Session 1 (Lots 1 - 143) 2pm (AEDT)
  07 Dec 2022 ~ Session 2 (Lots 201 - 294) 6pm (AEDT)
• Lot #:
  48
• Lot Description:
  Two associated turquoise-inlaid gilt-bronze 'bear' fittings
  Han dynasty
  6.0cm and 5.0cm high (2).
• Provenance:
  The Hsiao family collection, Melbourne
• Notes:
  The bear imagery was popular during the Western Han Dynasty symbolizing heroic power and has been associated with legendary rulers. Despite only appearing for a short period, they can be found in a plethora of works of art, including as integral supports for bronze (lot see 116), lacquer and ceramic vessels, as solid-cast bronze sculptural mat-weights, in moulded ceramic tiles, in textiles and as carved jade and hardstone figures. Compare with similarly shaped gilt-bronze fittings, see Sotheby's, New York, 21 Sep 2021, lot 43, and Bonhams, New York, 16 Mar 2015, lot 2004. See also a pair of mirror-imaged gilt-bronze bear without inlays in the collection of Xianyang Museum, Two Emperors: China's Ancient Origins, Melbourne, 2002, p.117, pl.72.
• Estimate:
  A$1,000 - 2,000
• Realised Price:
  *****
  

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• Category:
  Oriental

This Sale has been held and this item is no longer available. Details are provided for information purposes only.