Bronze And Gilded Copper Ewer. Sawasa. China Or Japan, 17th Century.

The body of the ewer is made of very thick, repoussé copper with a gilded finish. Some elements are cast bronze. The work is of excellent quality, with meticulous finishing and very fine chiseling. Decorated with Buddhist lions, peonies, and plum blossoms. The spout is shaped like a stylized dragon’s snout; the mercury gilding is excellent and very well preserved. A similar, smaller model with worn gilding was sold a few years ago in New York under the description, “China, late Ming, 17th century.”
These gilded objects, known as Sawasa, were prized at the Ming court toward the end of the dynasty; it is unclear whether they were made in China or exported from Japan, or both, as some experts claim—which is quite possible, since some of these objects display a level of excellence not found in others.
China or Japan, 17th century.
Traces of tin soldering.
Height: 30 cm.