A LARGE CHINESE PARCEL-GILT ARCHAISTIC BRONZE DING AND COVER

MING DYNASTY

Imitating a Shang original, the body cast in three lobes with tall angled handles and raised upon tall tapering cylindrical legs, each lobe cast in high relief with stylised taotie masks and fish motifs on a leiwen ground, the hardwood cover with an elaborate soapstone knop carved with one large and nine small single-horned dragons, 37cm. (2)

Cf. M Maucuer, Musée Cernuschi, Bronzes de la Chine Impériale des Song aux Qing, p.78, no.29 for a similar example.