Liao Dynasty Cast Bronze Ritual Ewer with Relief Bodhisattva Pattern & Lotus Boy Finial,10th–12th Century

拍品描述

Measurements:Overall height 27.2 cm / 10.71 inches, maximum width of vessel body 21.2 cm / 8.35 inches, weight 2380 grams, 10th to 12th Century Liao DynastyCondition & Provenance:The whole ewer including main body, curved handle, lotus petal spout and matching original boy lid is fully intact with no missing segments, cracks or modern solder restorations. The bronze surface is entirely covered with natural red and green verdigris that penetrates deep into the bronze matrix, showing rich natural layers without artificial chemical patina or post-dye treatment. High-relief carvings of Bodhisattvas and cloud scrolls remain full and dimensional; only faint natural soft wear exists on raised decorative edges accumulated over centuries of display. Original casting marks and ancient rust deposits inside the vessel are fully preserved without manual polishing or cleaning. This bronze piece was previously owned by a veteran ancient bronze collector in San Diego, California, and was acquired by a dedicated archaic bronze private collector in Berkeley, California in 2025. It has been permanently preserved in a professional temperature and humidity controlled dust-proof display cabinet.Object Description:This ritual bronze ewer was integrally cast with lost-wax technique during China’s Liao Dynasty, a representative surviving heavy artifact that merges Liao Buddhist culture and Northern nomadic metal craftsmanship. The vessel boasts a stout, full silhouette with straight narrow neck, octagonal bulbous belly and flared ring foot base. One side is fitted with a curved handle decorated with rolled floral motifs, while the other extends an elongated lotus-petal water spout, paired with an original matching lid topped by a draped boy figure seated on double-layer lotus pedestal. The hollow boy statue on the lid serves as the air vent with a simple, naive facial shape, a rare lid design seen on Liao bronze ewers. The eight faceted sides of the belly feature high-relief Bodhisattva statues inside separate frames. Each Bodhisattva wears an elaborate royal crown and full jeweled necklaces; some sit cross-legged with palms pressed together, others hold ritual instruments, surrounded by floating soft cloud scrolls. The robe folds are carved with smooth, flowing lines, and the relief has dramatic depth and strong three-dimensional effects. Shallowly carved lotus petal patterns circle the neck, echoing the lotus motifs on the body and lid to unify the Buddhist lotus symbolism throughout the whole piece. The bronze alloy is dense and heavy when held, with original casting mold joint marks visible inside the vessel. Uneven natural ancient patina covers both interior and exterior, presenting clear traces of long history. Buddhism was widely revered during the Liao regime; bronze ewers carved with Buddhist reliefs like this one were exclusively used to hold sacred purified water for altar offerings. It combines sophisticated Central Plains Buddhist statue carving techniques with the bold, grand aesthetic of Northern ethnic minority metalware. Fully intact matching sets with crisp undamaged relief are extremely scarce today. It delivers tremendous research value for ancient lost-wax casting technology, historical documentation of Liao Buddhist folk customs, plus high-end antique display and collecting value.

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