A FIRE GILT 'RAM'WATER DROPPER, YONGZHENG MARK

Bronze, chiseled and fire gilt
China, 18th - 19th century, neatly incised four-character Yongzheng mark on the bottom and possibly of the period (1723 - 1735)

This well-cast fire gilt bronze water dropper depicts a reclining ram grasping a small bowl in its mouth. There we also find the integrated spout and at the back is the circular aperture to the hollow body. The animal is seated on the ground with all four legs tucked under its body, the horns are curved, and the head is slightly bent backwards. Masterfully incised details at the mane or the flame-like elements at the joints.

This solid bronze waterdropper is highly reminiscent of Ming Dynasty pieces, yet we find the neatly incised 4-character mark of the Yongzheng period at the underside. The Yongzheng Emperor was a great connoisseur of antiquities and had a discerning aesthetic sense for the arts. He had a strong interest in archaic bronzes and besides the monochrome porcelain wares, made in imitation of antique vessels, several miniature works of art, cast in bronze, have also been recorded.

Shape: Figural shape
Dimensions: 10 cm (length at handles), 7 cm (height)
Condition: Good condition with abrasions to gilding and few small nicks
Provenance: European private collection

Literature comparison: For Yongzheng period miniature bronze objects see Sotheby's, ASIAN ART, 16 DECEMBER 2010, PARIS, lot 70 (for a miniature vase) and Bonham's, FINE ASIAN WORKS OF ART, 13 Dez 2010, SAN FRANCISCO, lot 5146 (for a miniature censer).

For a Ming Dynasty water dropper of a beast with a bowl in its mouth see Sotheby's, FINE CHINESE CERAMICS & WORKS OF ART, 18 MARCH 2014 - 19 MARCH 2014, NEW YORK, lot 253.

清代雍正款銅鎏金臥羊水滴
品相良好，表面有擦傷和劃痕
歐洲私人收藏