A MINIATURE BRONZE ARROW VASE, TOUHU, YUAN TO MING DYNASTY China, 1279-1644. The facetted vase supported on a hexagonal splayed foot, the tall neck cast with two sinuous chilong in high relief below a hexagonal diaper pattern covering the handles as well, the body similarly decorated with figures on horseback, one side with a figure inside a pavilion beside a second smaller building.

Provenance: A notable private collector in Kensington, London, United Kingdom.
Condition: Very good condition with old wear and some casting irregularities, minuscule nicks, occasional light scratches, minor dents, and minimal losses. Fine, naturally grown, dark patina.

Weight: 964.1 g
Dimensions: Height 18.8 cm

The form of this vase is inspired by archaic bronze vessels used for touhu (lit. 'pitch-pot'), a traditional East Asian game that requires players to throw arrows or sticks from a set distance into a large, sometimes ornate, vessel. The game originated by the Warring States period, probably invented by archers or soldiers as a pastime during idle periods. It began as a game of skill or a drinking game at parties, but by the time it was described in a chapter of the Chinese Classic Book of Rites, it had acquired Confucian moral overtones. Initially popular among elites, it spread to other classes and remained popular in China until the end of the Qing dynasty. Touhu was usually a contest between players, who had to throw arrows into the mouth or tubular handles of the vase, which was placed at an equal distance between two mats on which the players knelt. Touhu vases continued to be produced in the Song dynasty and later, made in various materials including bronze, cloisonné, and ceramic.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Bonhams Hong Kong, 29 May 2022, lot 12
Estimate: HKD 60,000 or approx. EUR 7,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A rare bronze arrow vase, touhu, Yuan Dynasty
Expert remark: Compare the related form, diapered decorations, and remarkably small size (22.2 cm)

13% VAT will be added to the hammer price additional to the buyer's premium - only for buyers within the EU.

元至明小型銅投壺
中國，1279-1644年。六角投壺，長頸，壺口下方雷紋飾帶，之下攀爬著兩條浮雕曲折的螭龍；腹部飾人物騎馬場景，另可見房屋窗子，一人從窗子裏鑽出，手上握著一物。

來源：倫敦肯辛頓知名私人收藏。
品相：狀況極好，有磨損和一些鑄造缺陷、微小的刻痕、輕微劃痕和凹痕。自然包漿。

重量：964.1 克
尺寸：高18.8 厘米

拍賣結果比較：
形制：相近
拍賣：香港邦瀚斯，2022年5月29日，lot 12
估價：HKD 60,000（相當於今日EUR 7,500）
描述：元代銅仿古蕉葉水波紋雙貫耳投壺
專家評論：比較相近外型、帶狀裝飾和明顯較小的尺寸(22.2 厘米)。