with original dark, almost black patinaChina, Ming dynasty (1368-1644)The neck with two superbly cast sinuous Chilong in high relief, the sides with two openwork lion masks. The body divided by four vertical flanges. The various reserves with wave, diaper and leiwen patterns.Vases such as the present lot were designed for the ancient Chinese game of touhu 投壺, or 'arrow-throwing', which would form part of the entertainment at banquets and is mentioned in early classical texts such as the Chunqiu Zuo Zhuan attributed to Zuoqiu Ming (c.556-451 BC). Contestants would aim feathered arrows at the various cylinders applied to the vase, with higher points awarded for the less accessible openings. The loser was made to drink wine, leading to increased inebriation and diminished throwing accuracy. Whereas many examples exist of this form of vase, in porcelain and cloisonné as well as bronze, the present lot appears to be one of the earlier versions of the subject, still following strict formal guidelines, with the three main targets elegantly spaced around the neck angled to invite the shooting of an arrow. However, the mouths of the lions each offer two more, yet much smaller and therefore highly valued targets, opening an option for any losing player to turn around the game with one last, desperate shot.Shape: Arrow vaseWeight: 7.9 kilogramsDimensions: Height 58 cm.Condition: Superb condition with only minor wearProvenance: Austrian private collection.Literature comparison: For a related example, see Chinesische Kunstgeschichte von Oskar Münsterberg, Esslingen, 1910, p.136. Also compare with another related arrow vase, but with only two target 'ears' either side of the mouth but cast with scaly dragons, illustrated by P.K. Hu, Later Chinese Bronzes: The Saint Louis Art Museum and Robert E. Kresko Collection, Saint Louis, 2008, no.5. Auction result comparison: FINE CHINESE ART. Bonham's, 16 May 2013, LONDON, lot 99. (for a similar vase, depicting the eight immortals, but smaller) FINE CHINESE ART. Bonham's, 9 Nov 2017, LONDON, lot 171. (for an arrow vase of similar size, but likely later, with two Buddhist sitting on the shoulders)明代大型青銅投壺六角青銅器,原始黑色包漿中國,明代,1368-1644造型:箭筒重量:7.9 公斤尺寸:高 58 厘米.品相:保存極好,只有輕微磨損來源:奧地利私人收藏.