A FINE CAST BRONZE ARROW VASE 'TOUHU'

Description:

China, Song/ Yuan dynasty
H. 48,8 cm
The compressed globular body cast with two pairs of mythical beast masks 'pushou', flanked on each side by a flanges, different patterns at the body, the shoulder with emblems, the neck with two chilong. Weight 4,886 kg.
From an old German private collection, acquired in Wiesbaden in 1960
Cf. a similar vase from the collection of Brian Harkins, auctioned Bonhams Hong Kong, 29.5.2022, lot 10, dated to the 12th/13th century.
Base plate later inset, one head of a chilong lost, minor traces of age