Han Dynasty The globular body supported on a short spreading foot and surmounted by a waisted cylindrical neck applied with a pair of taotie-mask handles issuing loose rings, the slightly domed cover surmounted by another loop ring, the body painted in blue, green and red pigments around the exterior with curvilinear designs, the shoulder with pendant triangles. 19.5cm (7 5/8in) high.
漢 彩繪青銅壺
Provenance: Ariadne Galleries, New York and London
來源： Ariadne畫廊，紐約和倫敦
This elegant wine vessel, a hu vase from the Han dynasty, exemplifies the technical mastery and refined aesthetic of bronzes from this period. Its robust form is visually lightened by decorative bands encircling the substantial belly, while the flowing silhouette and gracefully sinuous curves create a striking profile. The richly ornamented surface, adorned with painted patterns and enhanced by a multi-coloured patina, reflects the highest level of Han craftsmanship. The vessel features a domed, disk-shaped lid with a central ring and two side handles, making it both functional and opulent. This style, with its fluid, calligraphic ornamentation, marks a departure from the angular, metallic designs of the preceding Warring States period, moving toward a softer, more lyrical aesthetic inspired by lacquerware motifs.
The hu shape has been part of China's bronze repertoire since the Shang dynasty, when bronzes played a key role in ritual offerings to appease ancestors. During the Zhou dynasty, the vessel evolved in form and function, as bronzes became symbols of aristocratic status and wealth, adorned with intricate precious metal inlay. By the Han period, this decorative style, once a private expression of individual patrons, became part of the court's official artistic vocabulary. Similar inlaid hu vessels from the late second century BC, such as those in the Musée Guimet in Paris (acc.no.MA 1076) and the Art Institute of Chicago (acc.no.1927.315), showcase comparable swirling cloud and mountain patterns symbolising qi (universal energy). The refined craftsmanship, flowing contours, and ornate decoration of this hu reflect the grandeur and artistic sophistication of Han dynasty bronzes.
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