White monochrome tsun bird vase

Ming dynasty (A.D. 1368 1644)
Height: 24.1 cm Depth: 18.4 cm Mouth diameter: 7:3 cm

This tsun mounted on the back of a fowl is imitative of archaic bronze wine vessels. The tsun portion is ornamented in cleanly-incised k'uei dragon motives, with stylized blades of design decorating the throat and base. The feathers and the claws of the bird are carved in low relief. The piece as a whole presents a delightful composite of stately archaic form, stylized animal features combined with more realistic elements.

Click here for a larger picture
(image size between 100k - 300K)
and use the [BACK] Function key back to this page