Gilt Bronze Taotie & Ring Handle

Gilt Bronze Taotie & Ring Handle

Warring States/Early Western Han (3rd-2nd Century BCE)

Height: 5.6 inches (14.22 cm)

This Taotie mask is finely caste in high relief with large bulging eyes, and flourishing swirls above and around the eyes, cheeks, and base of the upright turned in horns. The squared loop below the mask holds a large ring handle. The bronze mask and handle both retain their extensive bright gilding.

Highlights

Provenance: Old Family Collection, Canada.

Reference Pieces

A larger, bronze taotie mask, without gilding, was sold in Christie’s New York on September 16th 2010 in the sale of The Sze Yuan Tang Archaic Bronzes From The Anthony Hardy Collection, sale 2508, lot 858.