A GILT-BRONZE CLOISONNE ENAMEL HU-SHAPED VASE
MING DYNASTY, WANLI PERIOD
of archaistic form, the fanghu shaped body flanked by a pair of animal mask handles suspending rings, decorated to the front and back with a pair of standing cranes amid floral blossoms issuing from pierced rocks, the sides with brightly plumed peacocks among further floral blossoms and rockwork, all below archaistic kui dragon scrolls and a band of upright plantain lappets against floral sprays, the splayed foot skirted with qilin galloping on cresting waves, decorated to the interior with stylised lotus scroll above a band of linked ruyi heads