Lot 52 , A rare Chinese archaic bronze ritual rhinoceros wine vessel, Zun, early Western Han dynasty, 206 B.C. - 9 A.D. 11.8cm high, 21cm long

A rare Chinese archaic bronze 'rhinoceros' ritual wine vessel, Zun, early Western Han dynasty, 3rd-1st century B.C. with a hinged cover to its back, of olive green patina encrusted with malachite, azurite and cuprite deposits, 11.8cm high, 21cm long
Estimate £8,000-12,000


Literature:
A similar shape rhinoceros bronze vessel (zun) dating from the early Western Han dynasty is on display in the Museum of Chinese History, Beijing.
It was discovered by a farmer plowing his field in Maoling, Xingping County, Shaanxi Province, in 1963. The large rhinoceros-shaped wine vessel, found in a large pottery jar, was probably hidden by its owner during a period of unrest, but never retrieved. The body of the rhinoceros vessel in Beijing is inlaid with a swirling pattern in gold and silver wire, of which some remains.

Provenance: the estate of the late Jean-Claude Jean-Claude (1926-2016).

Jean-Claude Lepileur was a man of great learning. Born in Lisieux in France, he became a buyer and seller of antiques and formed a partnership with Mrs Senta Christian in a joint antiques venture, travelling to and from England from their early base in Deauville in Normandy. Mr Lepileur was a self-taught historian, chemist and restorer, with a particular love of all things Asian, especially pieces of art from China. And more specifically ancient Chinese bronze artefacts, which he collected avidly all his life.

Mr Lepileur and Mrs Christian moved their business to Finchley in London in the 1950s and they continued to operate as a partnership until 1996, when Mrs Christian passed away. Jean-Claude had a very discerning eye for art and at one point even managed to identify two original Rembrandt sketches for sale on a stall on Portobello Market and was able to purchase them for a few pounds. They were later fully authenticated by the Victoria and Albert Museum. Mr Lepileur was also a frequent visitor to the British Museum in those days as he was always keen to compare his latest Chinese bronze acquisitions with those in the collection of the museum. During his life he amassed a collection of some eighty bronzes and a number of ceramics, pictures and scrolls. He also collected over 60 reference books, many of them very detailed, which he used to assist him with his research. Mr Lepileur was still buying and selling up until his death in December last year, aged 90.

The collection is presented complete, with no omissions and is a great tribute to his skill in identifying, researching and collecting some wonderful pieces of Chinese art.

Minor casting imperfections, good condition. Encrustation is quite thick around on the back of the rhino, around his head, his underside including his feet.


Descriptions provided in both printed and on-line catalogue formats do not include condition reports. The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Interested bidders are strongly encouraged to request a condition report on any lots upon which they intend to bid, prior to placing a bid. All transactions are governed by Gorringes Conditions of Sale.

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