Liao Dynasty Cast Bronze Ewer with Relief Bodhisattva Motifs & Lotus Monkey Finial,10th–12th Century

拍品描述

Measurements:Overall height 27.5 cm / 10.83 inches, maximum width of body 22 cm / 8.66 inches, weight 2232 grams, 10th to 12th Century Liao DynastyCondition & Provenance:The ewer body, handle, spout and original matching lid are fully intact as a complete set, no cracks, missing parts or modern solder repairs. The bronze surface is covered with natural red and green ancient verdigris, firmly bonded to bronze matrix with multi-layer natural texture, no artificial chemical patina treatments. High-relief carvings of Bodhisattvas and cloud scrolls remain sharp and dimensional; only faint soft wear exists on raised decorative edges from centuries of display. Original ancient rust deposits are fully preserved inside the vessel. This bronze originates from a long-time ancient bronze collector in Los Angeles, California, and was collected by a dedicated archaic bronze specialist in San Francisco, California in 2025, permanently stored in a temperature and humidity controlled independent display cabinet.Object Description:This bronze Buddhist ewer was cast via lost-wax technique during China’s Liao Dynasty, serving as a representative bronze ritual artifact blending Northern Liao Buddhist culture and nomadic aesthetics. The whole vessel features a stout full silhouette with narrow neck, octagonal bulbous belly and ring foot base, fitted with a curved handle on one side and an elongated lotus-petal spout on the other, paired with an original lid topped by a monkey figure standing on double lotus pedestal. The lid’s monkey finial grips a hollow tube with vivid lively posture, a scarce design seen rarely on Liao bronze wares. The eight facets of the belly carry high-relief statues of Bodhisattvas wearing royal crowns and jeweled necklaces, some seated cross-legged with clasped hands, others holding ritual instruments surrounded by floating clouds, with flowing delicate robe folds and deep layered relief carving. The neck is lightly incised with lotus petal patterns, echoing the lotus motifs on body and lid to unify the whole Buddhist lotus symbolism. The bronze alloy is dense and weighty, with original casting joint marks visible inside, covered in uneven natural ancient patina both interior and exterior. Buddhism flourished widely during the Liao regime; bronze ewers decorated with Buddhist reliefs like this were primarily used to hold sacred water for altar offerings. It merges Central Plains figure carving craftsmanship with Northern nomadic metalwork taste. Fully intact surviving examples with original matching lids are extremely scarce, possessing outstanding research value for ancient metal casting technology, historical documentation of Liao Buddhist folk customs, plus antique collecting and display aesthetic value.

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