A RARE AND MAGNIFICENT PAIR OF GOLD AND SILVER-INLAID BRONZE...

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£ 1 522 500
Auction dateClassic
03.11.2020 14:00UTC +01:00
Auctioneer
CHRISTIE'S
Event location
United Kingdom, London
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ID 432406
Lot 12 | A RARE AND MAGNIFICENT PAIR OF GOLD AND SILVER-INLAID BRONZE...
A RARE AND MAGNIFICENT PAIR OF GOLD AND SILVER-INLAID BRONZE CHARIOT FITTINGS

EASTERN ZHOU DYNASTY, 4TH-3RD CENTURY BC

The chariot fittings are exquisitely inlaid in gold and silver and skillfully cast in openwork in the zoomorphic form of a dragon pursuing a phoenix, the shaft in the form of a cross-bow support. The dragons are powerfully rendered with sinuous winged bodies inlaid in silver and gold with interlaced motifs, dots, striations and scale-shaped details. The three-claws of each front leg are hooked into the body of the phoenix that has an inclined head, blue-black glass eyes, sharp beak and curled crest. The interior of the bronze fittings have malachite patination and are heavily encrusted.

10 ¼ in. (26 cm.) long

Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
8 King Street, St. James's
SW1Y 6QT London
United Kingdom
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30.10.2020 – 02.11.2020
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