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a statue of a cow with a vase on top of itan image of a black and gold vase with a cow on ittwo vases that are sitting next to each other
Premium QUAI DES ENCHERES - Alexandra Chaillou & Jerome Duvillard commissaires-priseurs Associés

Rare ritual vase in bronze with gold and silver inlays, Xizu…
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Estimate €10,000 - €20,000
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Description
Rare ritual vase in bronze with gold and silver inlays, Xizun China, 17th/18th century Shaped like a standing tapir, its mouth slightly open beneath a curved snout, flared ears, the neck encircled by a collar adorned with ruyi motifs and stylised scrollwork, the body and head decorated with plant scrolls and volutes, the back supporting a Gu vase H.: 29 cm W.: 28 cm Weight: 4 kg Provenance: Private collection, Mâcon (Expert: Cabinet Delalande – Paris) Xizun (牺尊), zoomorphic ritual vases used in sacrificial ceremonies, have their origins in the bronzes of the Shang (16th–11th century BC) and Zhou (11th century–221 BC) dynasties. The term xi (牺) refers to a sacrificial animal offered during ancestral rites, whilst zun (尊) refers to a vessel intended to hold libation wine. Among the most remarkable examples in this repertoire are vessels depicting real or imaginary animals, the finest examples of which were produced during the Warring States period (475–221 BC), often embellished with inlays of precious metals. The identification of the animal depicted remains a matter of debate to this day. Described in turn as a rhinoceros, a mythical creature or a tapir, it displays characteristics borrowed from several species. The tapir hypothesis has often been put forward due to the morphology of the muzzle and the animal’s overall silhouette. Archaeological discoveries have indeed shown that this animal was once present on Chinese territory before gradually disappearing From the Song dynasty (960–1279) onwards, the rediscovery of ancient bronzes sparked a profound enthusiasm amongst scholars and collectors. This taste for antiquity, known as fanggu (仿古), encouraged the reproduction and reinterpretation of archaic forms. During the Ming (1368–1644) and Qing (1644–1911) dynasties, xizun became particularly prized collector’s items, displayed in scholars’ study rooms and reception halls as symbols of erudition and good taste. This vase perfectly illustrates this archaic tradition. Crafted from bronze and embellished with gold and silver inlays, it echoes the powerful silhouette of ancient models. Its head held high, ears spread wide and body firmly planted on four sturdy limbs lend it a remarkable presence. The ruyi-decorated collar, together with the inlaid scrollwork and volutes, elegantly enliven the dark surface of the bronze. Thanks to the quality of its casting, the richness of its decoration and the depth of its patina, this example constitutes a particularly successful interpretation of the great zoomorphic vases of the archaic tradition. A bronze xizun inlaid with gold and silver, dating from the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644), is held at the Cernuschi Museum in Paris under inventory number M.C. 583. For a comparison of form, one may also refer to a xizun supporting a hu vase, made of bronze and cloisonné enamel, dating from the Qianlong period (1736–1795), held at the National Palace Museum in Taipei.
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About the sale TRESORS DU QUAI
Auction location
Auction time 07/02/2026 at 2:30 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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