Chinese or Tibetan Monk's cap jug in bronze.
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Directory: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Chinese: Metalwork: Pre 1700: Item # 1454253
Directory: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Chinese: Metalwork: Pre 1700: Item # 1454253
Please refer to our stock # 175 when inquiring.
solded
This form of jug called a monk's cap is of Tibetan origin. The model was adopted in China from the beginning of the 15th century and very appreciated. Monks' cap jugs were made of porcelain. They are always of good quality. The example presented here is made of thick bronze (yellow copper alloy). I don't think it's cast but rather hammered bronze.The border of the top in strong relief would indicate a cast bronze. But it is not certain. The body seems casted and the handle and the foot seem hammered. Under the foot we can see traces of turning tools. Which does not help us much because the beautiful finish of a circular bronze was sometimes done on the lathe, whether the part was cast or hammered. The object is very old 18 ° or before. The handle was repaired with a bronze sleeve but that was a very long time ago because a strong old patina also covers the sleeve. I am not an expert in Tibetan art but I think that the craftsmen of Tibet like rather used copper,for jugs plates or vases, much easier to hammer.
Ming period China or Tibet?
H: 17cm. Usual wear and small accidents of centuries use
