Han Dynasty Gilt Bronze Woodpecker Ornament,2nd Century BCE - 2nd Century CE

拍品描述

Measurements:Length 14 cm / 5.51 inches, Han Dynasty (2nd Century BCE - 2nd Century CE), Weight 411.1 gramscondition & Provenance:The ornament is fully intact with no breaks, missing fragments or modern repairs. Most of the original gilding base survives, covered in naturally layered turquoise and reddish-brown ancient bronze patina that penetrates deep into the bronze body. All incised feather patterns on the bird’s body remain crisp and complete; the talons and long beak have no wear or chipping. The casting mold seam on the underside is well-preserved, the relic retains its original excavated condition with no artificial rust removal or recoloring. This piece was once held in a private bronze collection based in San Francisco, California. It was acquired by a private East Asian antique art collector in Los Angeles, California in 2017, and preserved long-term in a constant temperature, moisture-proof display cabinet.Object Description:This gilt bronze woodpecker desk ornament dates back to China’s Han Dynasty, a rare realistic avian bronze sculpture from ancient Han period. The sculpture features an incredibly lifelike naturalistic design. The bird stretches out a long, sharp pointed beak forward, paired with smooth contoured head details. Fine incised lines carve the eye socket and pupil, delivering a vivid, lively facial expression. Its plump body holds folded wings against the back, entirely covered in meticulously incised layered feather scales that authentically replicate real bird plumage, showcasing extraordinary fine metal carving craftsmanship. Two sturdy clawed feet stand to support the whole figure with distinct defined toes, matched with a short flat fanned tail, creating balanced, natural overall proportions. The entire sculpture was gilded over bronze. After thousands of years underground, uneven turquoise verdigris and reddish burial soil patina spread across the surface. Sections of the gilding have worn away naturally over time, forming a gorgeous mottled contrast of gold and aged bronze with rich historical texture. The piece was cast entirely via lost-wax casting technique, and distinct ancient casting mold lines are visible on the base with no later modifications. Gilt bronze bird ornaments from Han Dynasty are scarce in surviving examples, and realistic woodpecker motifs are extremely uncommon among them. This artifact offers invaluable physical evidence for researching advanced Han Dynasty metal carving and gilding techniques, while serving as a premium antique desk display piece. Its flawless undamaged structure and untouched original burial patina make it a top-tier specimen among small Han bronze animal sculptures, with outstanding academic study and collectible value.

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