A CHINESE ARCHAISTIC BRONZE VASE

A CHINESE ARCHAISTIC BRONZE VASE, LEI

LATE MING DYNASTY

The ovoid body with a short waisted neck and tapering towards the foot, cast in low relief with taotie masks and stylised beasts against a leiwen ground, with eight triangular lappets extending down the lower section of the vase, the shoulder flanked by two loop handles, with some areas highlighted in gilt, all supported on a flared foot, 30.5cm, 3.7kg.

Provenance: from the collection of William George Mackay Thomas (d.1960s) and thence by descent.