Three Related Late Qing Chinese Bronze Auspicious Beasts

$225.00
A charming group of three small Chinese bronze figures, each cast in the form of a fantastical auspicious beast. Closely related in scale, form, and treatment, the three appear to have been conceived as a small group, with lively, animated poses and deliberately fanciful features. The creatures belong to the long Chinese tradition of auspicious and protective mythological animals, a repertoire that includes such closely related forms as the bixie, tianlu, qilin, and other guardian beasts. The compact sculptures have a pleasing archaistic character, combining the vigorous animal forms of earlier Chinese bronze and jade with the more playful treatment characteristic of later decorative objects. Their small scale and individually animated poses give the group considerable charm, while the dark bronze surfaces have acquired an attractive age patina. Such mythical beasts continued to be popular subjects for Chinese bronze sculpture well into the Qing period, when earlier archaic forms were frequently revived and reinterpreted. Date: Late Qing Dynasty, 19th–early 20th century Material: Bronze Subject: Auspicious mythical beasts Quantity: Three related figures Condition: Good antique condition with expected age-related surface wear and patination Check out some of my other antiques: https://www.etsy.com/shop/DCSILVERSHOP?ref=search_shop_redirect§ion_id=6783279 Or just browse around the shop! https://www.etsy.com/shop/DCSILVERSHOP 查看我的其他一些古董： https://www.etsy.com/shop/DCSILVERSHOP?ref=search_shop_redirect§ion_id=6783279 或者只是在商店里浏览！ https://www.etsy.com/shop/DCSILVERSHOP
A charming group of three small Chinese bronze figures, each cast in the form of a fantastical auspicious beast. Closely related in scale, form, and treatment, the three appear to have been conceived as a small group, with lively, animated poses and deliberately fanciful features. The creatures belong to the long Chinese tradition of auspicious and protective mythological animals, a repertoire that includes such closely related forms as the bixie, tianlu, qilin, and other guardian beasts. The compact sculptures have a pleasing archaistic character, combining the vigorous animal forms of earlier Chinese bronze and jade with the more playful treatment characteristic of later decorative objects. Their small scale and individually animated poses give the group considerable charm, while the dark bronze surfaces have acquired an attractive age patina. Such mythical beasts continued to be popular subjects for Chinese bronze sculpture well into the Qing period, when earlier archaic forms were frequently revived and reinterpreted. Date: Late Qing Dynasty, 19th–early 20th century Material: Bronze Subject: Auspicious mythical beasts Quantity: Three related figures Condition: Good antique condition with expected age-related surface wear and patination Check out some of my other antiques: https://www.etsy.com/shop/DCSILVERSHOP?ref=search_shop_redirect§ion_id=6783279 Or just browse around the shop! https://www.etsy.com/shop/DCSILVERSHOP 查看我的其他一些古董： https://www.etsy.com/shop/DCSILVERSHOP?ref=search_shop_redirect§ion_id=6783279 或者只是在商店里浏览！ https://www.etsy.com/shop/DCSILVERSHOP