VESSEL FANGHU Lot n° 542

VESSEL FANGHU Bronze and Gold China, Han dynasty (pre-206 - 220) An extremely rare, small, archaic fanghu, a rectangular hu, the most well-known and oldest vessel form, similar to a vase, this one quite small. Foot and mouth are similarly slanted outwards; two eyelets in mystical animal masks on the sides. Particularly remarkable here is the very fine decoration which is engraved and filled with gold. The motifs are lively and varied – hunting scene featuring men with lances or bows and various fleeing animals and birds. A rare collector’s item! Dimensions: HEIGHT 6 CM Condition: Very good, green patina, especially around the foot and inside Provenance: From an old Austrian private collection