Warring States Openwork Swastika Pattern Bronze Tripod Tray,4th–3rd Century BCE

拍品描述

Measurements:Overall height 20.5 cm / 8.07 inches, maximum horizontal span across two handles 35.5 cm / 13.98 inches, total weight 5070 grams, Warring States Period, Category: Bronze Ritual Vessel, Primary trading market: CaliforniaCondition & Provenance:The whole tray was cast in an integrated sectional mold; two lifting handles, openwork tray body and three curved support legs are all original integral casting without splicing, welding or restoration repairs. The bronze surface is covered with natural deep-burial mixed patina of malachite green and earthy ochre, rust layers firmly embedded into the metal core with no modern acid washing, polishing or wax sealing. The rim is lined with continuous cross-shaped openwork cutouts, and one rectangular handle bears lightly cast archaic inscription characters with crisp intact strokes free of heavy wear. The tray surface features multi-layer concentric swirling swastika openwork patterns, thick solid lattice frames without broken strips, edge chips or structural loss. Three curved beast-style legs under the tray carry even smooth curvature, their feet coated with thick undisturbed burial soil encrustation with no bending, cracks or impact damage. This bronze tray was unearthed from the ancient Sanjin territory of Central Plains China, transferred to a time-honored antique art dealer in Tokyo back in 1995, consigned at a Los Angeles Asian antiquities auction in 2010, then fully acquired in 2018 by a dedicated bronze ritual vessel private collector based in Richmond, Virginia, USA. It has been preserved long-term in temperature and humidity controlled storage, only lightly dusted with soft brushes, retaining its untouched excavated original condition with a fully documented overseas collection transfer lineage.Object Description:This intact openwork bronze tripod tray is a distinctive ritual serving vessel originating from the Sanjin region during the Warring States Period, a museum-quality scarce bronze piece crafted for ancient aristocratic display and heated food support use. Produced with advanced one-piece mold openwork casting technology, the bronze alloy is dense and weighty, shaped into an elegant oval silhouette with refined artistic styling. The shallow wide tray extends two rectangular lifting handles upward on opposite ends; the inner wall of one handle bears small Warring States inscribed characters, critical physical evidence for dating and tracing the artifact’s origin. A border of repeating cross hollow cutouts encircles the tray rim, while the interior surface is layered with concentric swirling interlocking swastika openwork patterns radiating outward from the center. Thick solid lattice beams reinforce the hollow design without fragility, and the swastika motif symbolizes longevity, endless vitality and perpetual fortune, a core auspicious geometric pattern widely favored in Warring States bronze art. Three gracefully curved beast legs anchor the tray evenly from below, delivering balanced structural support while adding soft sculptural decorative charm. Complete Warring States bronze trays with full openwork carving are extremely scarce in the antique market; intact specimens retaining original cast inscriptions, zero structural damage and unaltered natural burial patina without modern restoration rank among top-tier collectibles. This artifact delivers irreplaceable research value for Warring States hollow bronze casting craft, profound cultural insight into ancient Chinese auspicious symbolic design, and elite market rarity, consistently sought after by veteran bronze collectors across California and Florida.

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