A large bronze 'arrow' vase, Touhu, Yuan dynasty (1271-1368).
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Of archaistic form, with a bulbous body raised on a stepped foot, and with a long tubular neck flanked by lug handles, decorated with grinning masks evoking a taotie on each side. Height 54 cm.
In two parts.
Provenance
From the collection of the Swedish missionaries John Edwardsson (1896-1951) and Alfhild Edwardsson (1902-1979) active in Yunnan provinse, based in Tengyueh (Tengchong) during the 1930’s and Myanmar (Burma) Yangon (Rangoon) a few years in the 1940’s. Thence by descent.
Exhibitions
Compare with a vase sold at Bonhams, 'More than a Game - Games in Chinese Art', including the Brian Harkins Collection of Bronze Arrow Vases. 29-30 May 2022. Lot no 1.
Compare also a vase of this type sold at Bukowskis, 657, lot 1186.
More information
These type of vases were designed for the ancient Chinese game of touhu, or 'arrow throwing', which would form part of the entertainment at banquets and is mentioned in early classical texts such as the Chunqiu Zuo Zhuan. Contestants would aim feathered arrows at the various cylinders applied to the vase, with higher points awarded for the less accessible openings. The loser was made to drink wine, leading to increased inebriation and diminished throwing accuracy.