A bronze tiger-form weight


Han dynastyThe crouching figure finely cast with three legs extended to the front, the other splayed to the right with long tail curled around the lithe body touching the low tucked head, traces of gilt showing under the heavy patina. 2 3/4in (6.9cm) long
|漢 銅虎式鎮Provenance:A Private Collector, Northern CaliforniaBluetts, 1986, by receiptWhile many recorded animal-shaped weights from this period are cast as tightly coiled beasts in a compact form - see a 'tiger' weight sold in our London rooms, 12 May 2016, lot 7, and a fine inlaid example at Christie's New York, The Sze Yuan Tang Collection, 16 September 2010, lot 886 - others, such as the current lot are found in natural poses. See a chilong-form weight from the collection of Anthony Schnelling, which was sold at Sotheby's New York, 21 March 2015, lot 803 and another which was sold at Christie's New York, The Sze Yuan Tang Collection, 16 September 2010, lot 905.