An antique bronze baluster vase with a brown patina, featuring a beautiful domed shape and an openwork base that lends it stability and elegance. The neck is adorned with two symmetrical and stylized sculpted handles, reminiscent of Foo dogs, traditional protective figures in Asian art. Their integration into the neck testifies to meticulous casting work.
The body is decorated with figurative scenes, notably depicting a figure on horseback and palace scenes, inspired by historical or symbolic narratives. This narrative decoration, typical of decorative Asian bronzes, contributes to a cultural and moral emphasis (bravery, social order, hierarchy).
The red motifs are created by inlays of copper (or a copper-rich alloy), combined with lighter inlays (silver or tin), on a patinated bronze background. This decorative technique, common in Asia during the 19th and early 20th centuries, creates a subtle contrast. The colors have naturally lost some of their brilliance over time, but the designs remain clearly legible.
With its rich ornamentation and the absence of traces of utilitarian use, this vase appears as an ancient decorative object, designed for interior decoration or collection.
Material: bronze inlaid with a brown patina
Height: 35 cm
Diameter: 15 cm
Origin: Vietnam, between the late 19th and early 20th centuries
