Chinese Bronzes and Sculptures Exhibited in New York

NEW YORK CITY

:Eskenazi's annual exhibition in New York will feature just 12 major ancient Chinese bronzes and sculptures at PaceWildenstein from Monday, March 28, to Saturday, April 9.

Among these remarkable pieces are two elaborate bronze vessels cast some 3,000 years ago. The earliest in date and the most important is a bronze "you" and cover of the Shang period. The "you" was used as a wine container in rituals connected with the religious and political activities. This large vessel measures 40.5 cm to the top of the handle and is exceptionally well and crisply cast with large-beaked birds, dragons, cicadas and fierce animal masks sporting large horns, bulbous eyes and snouts.

In spite of its age, the name of the person who commissioned this impressive object is known as the vessel and cover are both cast with nine emblematic characters that translate as "Xiang was presented with a monetary reward [which he] used to cast a vessel in memory of his father."

Another remarkable bronze is the ding, ritual food vessel, dating from some 500 years later, the Spring and Autumn period, 770-476 BC. It contrasts with the "you" in that it is extremely delicate and light in weight. The wide, shallow bowl is supported on three legs and is finely cast with a dense overlapping scale pattern enclosed by a border while the handles are each decorated with a pair of curled snakes in high relief.

From the Warring States period, 475-221 BC, come three elaborate garment hooks, one made of gilt and silvered bronze decorated with jade and colored glass. The extravagant decoration of the three hooks incorporate motifs including an owl with talons grasping a pair of leaping antelope, dragons and animal masks.

Very different in spirit is the later group of Buddhist sculptures in stone, wood and ceramic, several of which depict the Buddha. The wood sculpture is an exceptionally elegant Bodisattva of the Song period, 960-1279 AD, seated in the position of rajalilasana or royal ease, a relaxed but upright pose with the left leg pendant and the right arm resting on the raised right knee. The figure is carved with flowering draperies, necklaces and chains of beads, as befits this particular deity and the surface is still covered with areas of fabric, gesso and extensive remains of pigments.

PaceWildenstein is at 32 East 57 Street, 7 floor. For information, 212-421-3292.