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Expert’s note
The known corpus of gold- and silver-inlaid bronze tapirs serving as incense burners is relatively small, not least because such objects were exceptionally costly to produce due to the considerable amount of specialized labor required for their precious-metal inlays. At over 29 cm in height, the present tapir ranks among the largest known examples of its type, as demonstrated by the literature comparisons and auction results cited below. Its decoration is also unusually extensive, combining sheet and wire inlays in both gold and silver, requiring the bronze surface to be carefully chased and undercut after casting so that the precious metals could be hammered securely into place. Particularly remarkable is the exceptional preservation of these inlays: unlike later examples, where lower-purity alloys are often susceptible to corrosion and subsequent losses, the gold and silver here remain remarkably intact and perfectly flush with the bronze, preserving the intricate design with extraordinary clarity. This technical sophistication and state of preservation strongly support a 17th-century date, if not earlier. A closely comparable tapir sold at Christie’s in 2018 for the equivalent of approximately EUR 116,000; while remarkably similar in conception and execution, that example is somewhat smaller and displays less extensive gold- and silver-inlaid decoration than the present work.
China. Well cast and finely modeled standing foursquare, the head raised with a curled snout above the angular chin, large eyes framed by scrolling flames, and pointed ears flanking a central nodular horn. It carries a separately cast globular incense holder in the form of a vase with a tall flaring rim. The tail hangs between the hind legs, while the broad collar is decorated with heart-shaped curls and stylized foliage encircling the neck. The body and face are finely inlaid in gold and silver with spiraling motifs reminiscent of archaistic scrollwork. (2)
Provenance: From a private collection in Macon, France.
Condition: Very good condition with expected ancient wear, casting irregularities, few tiny dents and chips, minor losses to inlays. The figure with a fine, naturally grown, dark patina overall.
Weight: 3.9 kg
Dimensions: Height 29.3 cm
The shape and inlaid decoration of this rather spectacular vessel are based on ancient prototypes of the Warring States period. Archaistic vessels of this type are the result of a tremendous interest in ancient bronzes from the Northern Song period onwards, brought about by a renewed interest in Confucianism and anything associated with the rituals of the Bronze Age. The Bronze Age tapirs evidently found favor with the Northern Song Emperor Huizong (r. 1100-1126), who was a keen antiquarian and who instigated the publication of illustrated catalogues of the items in his collection. One of these, the Xuanhe Bogu tulu ('Xuanhe Illustrated Collection of Antiques'), included an illustration of such an early bronze vessel. The name xizun appears in the Bo gu tu, compiled during the Northern Song dynasty. The word xi meaning 'sacrificial victim', often refers to an ox or another animal. The popularity of these zoomorphic vessels continued into the Ming and earlier Qing period.
The identity of this particular animal has been much discussed and is variously described as a mythological animal, a rhinoceros, and a tapir. The latter seems the most likely candidate since the form has significant features in common with surviving species of tapir, and archaeology has shown that tapirs were indigenous to China in earlier times. Indeed, remains of tapirs were found in Guizhou that date to 200,000 BC. These animals have long been extinct in China, but the Asian tapir has survived in small numbers in areas of Southeast Asia. It is interesting to note that even the bronze tapirs of the Warring States period are shown with collars, which suggests that at one time there was a degree of domestication.
Literature comparison:
Compare a related bronze xisun in the form of a tapir, dated Ming dynasty, in the Musée Cernuschi, object number M.C. 583. Compare a related zoomorphic cloisonné enamel vessel, xizun, dated Qianlong period, 27.7 cm tall, in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, reference number 中琺000236N000000000. Compare a related gold and silver inlaid bronze vase in form of an ox, xizun, dated Ming-Qing dynasty, length 21.6 cm, in the National Palace Museum, Taiwan, reference number 故銅002521N000000000.
Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie’s New York, 13 February 2018, lot 108
Price: USD 100,000 or approx. EUR 116,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A Chinese gold and silver-inlaid bronze tapir-form vessel, zun, 17th/18th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related form, pose, the curling of the snout, the gold and silver inlays, as well as the details of the face. Note the smaller size (26.7 cm).
Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 8 April 2013, lot 171
Price: HKD 1,480,000 or approx. EUR 221,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A silver and gold-inlaid archaistic animal-form vessel and cover, zun, Ming dynasty
Expert remark: Compare the similar subject, the geometric inlays of gold and silver, and pose.
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