SOLD
Round, footed bowl-form base and tapering stepped lid are heavily cast in bronze and then finished by lathe-turning to enhance the concentric stepped pattern on the lid and the incised rings encircling the base. The bronze retains its natural patina from age and use. There are areas of reddish-brown and small patches or verdigris on the exterior. The interior of the lid shows overall verdigris with numerous patches of brown encrustation. The interior of the bowl is blackish with turquoise verdigris on the base and along the rim. The interior of the tall foot is encrusted with a variegated patina. The stupa shape suggests a religious function as an offering vessel on a family or temple altar. Containers like this one may also have been used for spices or cosmetics.
Height: 5 in.; Diameter: 3 ¼ in.
SOLD
This bowl is raised from a sheet of silver and formed into a vessel with gently rounded sides. Having no feet, this slightly rounded base is flattened so that it sits firmly on a flat surface. The entire bowl is covered in hammered repousse work in much detail. Four Buddha images seating among dense stylized floral forms are in the wide lower register above which is a band of dot-like forms and in the top register are birds and flowers. The base is covered in an eight-point star-shaped pattern and the center is stamped with a small star and two Chinese characters. The second character indicates it is fine silver. The condition is very good with some small areas of black tarnish.
Height: 3 ¼ in.; Diameter: 5 ¾ in.