A Rare Archaistic Bronze Ritual Tripod Vessel and Cover, Ding

SONG DYNASTY (12TH-13TH CENTURY)

宋青銅仿古龍紋三足鼎
The imitation of ancient ritual bronzes gained popularity during the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127) at the bequest of the imperial court and the rising literati class. Well-versed in Confucianism and its reverence towards history and antiques, scholars revived the study of bronzes from the Shang (16th- c. 1050 BC) to Zhou (c. 1050-221 BC). Many of these pieces were even used as altar sets to pay respect to their ancestors.

In addition to meticulously recording extant examples of ancient bronzes, wealthy individuals nursed so much interest in this category that they actually went out to source more objects—either through marketplaces or from digging up the earth. Thousands of bronze vessels were rediscovered, with a goal to preserve and catalog each piece for future generations.

The Song’s insatiable demand for ancient bronzes led to a large market for ‘imitation’ pieces. Skilled craftsmen were able to create quality replicas of these bronze wares, either based on newly-published classical examples, or with modern variations that catered to Song tastes. The present vessel falls under the former category with its similarities to Warring States prototypes from the 5th to 3rd century BC. With its fine casting, exceptional details and interior inscription, it is a wonderful Song Dynasty homage to the antiquarian past.

Other Song Dynasty archaistic bronzes have appeared at auction in the past few years. A silver-inlaid bronze vase, hu, sold at Sotheby’s New York, ‘Informing the Eye of the Collector; Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art from J. T. Tai & Co., 22 March 2011, lot 229; a bronze tripod food steamer, xian, sold at Christie’s Paris, 14 December 2011, lot 1052; and most recently, a silver-inlaid bronze ‘champion’ vase sold at Sotheby’s 11 September 2019, lot 801.

Height 12 1/4 x length 15 3/4 x diameter 12 in., 31 x 40 x 30 cm.

A Rare Archaistic Bronze Ritual Tripod Vessel and Cover, Ding