An Ancient Vessel Forged from Fires of the Warring States

2500 years ago, China was fractured into competing aristocratic states vying for supreme control. Warfare hastened cultural exchange and ultimately gave rise to a unique visual language across the realms, exemplified by this impressive gold, silver and glass-embellished bronze vessel to be offered in Sotheby’s Important Chinese Art auction. Formerly in the famed collection of Adolphe and Suzanne Stoclet, this archaic vessel features innovative glass inlays virtually unseen in museums and in the marketplace, providing a rare window into the art history of China.