China, 16th-17th century. The pear-shaped vase is finely enameled around the globular body, shoulder and neck with registers of large lotus blooms borne on leafy meandering scrolls, all supported on a tall, splayed foot similarly decorated. The shoulders are applied with a pair of enameled Taotie mask handles suspending flattened, loose rings that bear enameled decorations as well. Provenance: From the collection of a New York Connoisseur, and thence by descent within the same family. By repute acquired ca. 1960. Condition: The bronze lip, ring, edges and foot rim show old wear, some dents and warpings. The base plate inside the foot may have been re-attached some time ago. The enamels show firing flaws such as crazing and pitting, common to this type of ware. Some minor nicks, cracks and small chipping here and there, commensurate with age. ATTENTION: Some of the color variations to the blue background that may look like old fillings are in fact part of the original enameling. The general condition of the enamels is fully original, with no restoration or repairs whatsoever, checked thoroughly under a strong blue light. In general, the condition is good, especially when considering the high age of this massive vessel.Weight: 8.9 kg Dimensions: 53 cm Auction result comparison: Compare with a closely related Hu of 59 cm, dating from the 16th-17th century, at Sotheby's New York in Important Chinese Art, 12 September 2018, lot 308, bought in at an estimate of USD 50,000-70,000.明代銅胎掐絲琺琅纏枝蓮紋獸耳壺 中國,十六至十七世紀。梨形壺,球形壺身精美的琺瑯,纏枝蓮花,高圈足。 壺肩上饕餮耳雙環。 來源:紐約一位藝術鑒賞傢的收藏,保存在同一家族。據説購於1960年代。 品相:青銅的唇沿、邊緣和圈足可見舊時磨損,有一些凹痕和翹曲。 底足底板可能之前重新安裝過。琺琅顯示出這類產品常見的燒制缺陷,例如開裂和凹痕。隨年齡的增長,一些小刻痕、裂縫和小磕損隨處可見。注意:藍色琺琅地的某些顏色變化看起來像是舊填充物,實際上是原始琺琅的一部分。 瓷釉的狀況完全是原始的,在強烈的藍光下進行了徹底檢查,沒有任何修復或修理。 狀況良好,尤其是考慮到這類大型器皿的年代。 重量:8.9 公斤 尺寸:53 厘米 拍賣結果比較:一件相近的59厘米高的壺,斷代為十六至十七世紀,可見于紐約蘇富比Important Chinese Art拍場,2018年9月12日,lot 308,估價為 USD 50,000-70,000.