A green glazed tripod censer, Han dynasty (206 BC - 220 AD).
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Tripod on three animal shaped legs, decorated with mascaron handles, and horizontal bands. A green glaze. Diameter 20 cm. Height 15 cm.
Damages, repairs.
Provenance
Bukowskis auction 583:582.
Sigge Björcks Konsthandel A.-B. Stockholm, lot no 349. The Auction after C. E. Gadelius, 2-3 december 1926.
From the Collection of Carl-Erik Gadelius (1866-1928). Thence by descent. Carl-Erik Gadelius was a Swedish Businessman who in 1886, travelled to Sumatra with his well-known brother Knut Gadelius (founder of Gadelius & Co) and set up a plantation and gem trading business. They had offices in Singapore, Yokohama and Osaka. Carl-Erik Gadelius had a great passion of Asian antiques and participated in several excavations and started an import business with antiques as well. A large part of his collection was sold at Sigge Björks Konsthandel in 1926. But part of the collection remained within the family.
Literature
Catalgoue accompanies the piece.
To compare with a bronze tripod from the Han dynasty, see lot 215, Bonhams/Cornette de Saint Cyr, La Collection Robert & Jean-Pierre Rousset d'Art Asiatique. Paris 25-26 Octobre 2022.
More information
The taotie mask design decorating the ring handles and the three bears shaping the feet were probably aimed at protecting the deceased against the evil influences they may encounter inte their afterlife.