Lot 46F
Asian. Southeast Asia, Vietnam, Dong Son culture (Dongson, Dong Son), ca. 500 BCE to 0 CE. A charming cast bronze owl. The face is molded to have a curious, heart-shaped face, with round, bulging eyes. Ears poke out either side of the head and the body has incised lines to create the impression of feathers on its rounded body. The animal is posed on a rounded, two-tiered disc-shaped pedestal and stands on two detailed, three-taloned feet. Finding any animal representations from this culture is incredibly rare! Size: 2.45" W x 5" H (6.2 cm x 12.7 cm)
The Dong Son are famous for their bronzes. Animals - especially birds - are sometimes found as motifs on their large bronze drums, alongside motifs of boats. Based on the fantastical characteristics of many of these bird representations, it seems likely that the artisans creating them - and owls like this one - saw some mythical role for birds. Interestingly, the head shape and seated form of this owl closely resembles the shape of some human figural representations from this culture - down to the ears! Dong Son bronzes, and particularly their drums, have been found from around the Red River delta (where they were made) all the way south to Java and New Guinea, demonstrating a huge geographical trading spread. Famous examples of the drums include the Nguc Lu I drum, found southeast of Hanoi in 1893. The Dong Son culture thrived in northern Vietnam and its burials, rich in bronze goods, demonstrate a high level of wealth relative to neighboring areas.
Provenance: private Bangkok, Thailand collection
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#124114
- Condition: Dark green patina on the surface, with much of the detail remaining.
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