Rare Chinese Antique Substantial Bronze 4 Footed Lobed Li with Taoti Enamelling

 Presenting a Fascinating and Very Rare, Antique, Chinese Bronze Li or Jia, Alter Vessel, or Wine Server

Probably 17th Century but could be Earlier

Provenance - Came from an Important 40 Year Old Collection

Lobed in Form with Buttock Like Crevices, it Stands upon Four Feet, with an inverted Waist and Everted Rim with Loop Handles

With Very Interesting Taotie Design Enamelled Motifs with Stylised Dragons or Pheonix's on Each Lobe and Greek Key Design to Waist, the Handles and Rim also have Blue Enamelling

Good Patination, but shows age and there are a couple of minute holes and some tiny patched repairs

Measures 20.5 cm High and 14 cm Wide at Rim

Good Antique Condition for Vast Age with a couple of dings

I have found similar shaped Vessels in the Palace Museum in China and The British Museum which I have uploaded