Lot 058 A RARE BRONZE ‘MYTHICAL BEAST’ CANDLE HOLDER SONG DYNASTY 宋 铜瑞兽驮宝瓶烛台

Description

A RARE BRONZE ‘MYTHICAL BEAST’ CANDLE HOLDER
SONG DYNASTY
宋 铜瑞兽驮宝瓶烛台
ESTIMATE: $10.000 – $20.000
Description
This rare bronze candle holder features a powerfully cast mythical beast, likely a Qilin, standing in a spirited and alert posture. The beast supports a vase-shaped (baoping) candle socket on its back, which is intricately decorated with a hexagonal “tortoise shell” pattern on the saddlecloth. The creature is rendered with great detail, showing a flowing mane, a bushy tail, and a focused expression.
The entire figure is supported by a distinctive tripod base, with each foot meticulously cast in the shape of an elephant’s head with a curving trunk. The combination of the “mythical beast,” the “vase” (baoping), and the “elephant” (xiang) creates a rich visual pun for “Peace and Stability” (taiping youxiang), a popular auspicious theme in Chinese art. The bronze displays a deep, dark brown patina with areas of natural malachite encrustation and oxidation consistent with the Song dynasty period.
Dimensions
Height: 28.5cm (11.25in)
CONDITION REPORT
The candle holder is in excellent overall condition, commensurate with its significant age. The bronze surface retains a rich, undisturbed patina with localized areas of natural oxidation and minor mineral deposits. The casting remains crisp, and the structure is solid and stable. No major cracks, losses, or modern restorations were detected under standard examination.
• Provenance: From a Distinguished Canadian Private Collection
宋 铜瑞兽驮宝瓶烛台
此件青铜烛台由瑞兽及底座两部分组成，瑞兽昂首挺立，身姿雄健，背部稳托一只宝瓶（baoping）状烛插。瑞兽周身刻画精细，背部披挂刻有规整龟甲纹的鞍鞯，须发随风飘动，极具动感。
底座设计精妙，由三尊象首组成，象鼻卷曲形成稳固的支脚。整器将“瑞兽”、“宝瓶”与“大象”的形象结合，取“太平有象”之吉祥寓意，象征天下太平、福寿安康。此器铜质精纯，包浆古朴幽邃，局部可见自然的绿锈分布，体现了宋代青铜工艺的高超水平与文人审美的融合。
品相报告：
整器品相极佳，包浆自然厚重。青铜表面见有随年代增长自然产生的氧化层及局部绿锈矿物质结晶。铸造工艺精湛，线条清晰。器身结构稳固，经常规检查，未见明显裂纹、缺损或人为修复痕迹。
技术规格：
高度：28.5厘米,11.25英寸
来源：
加拿大著名收藏家