A BRONZE HEXAGONAL ARROW VASE, TOUHU Ming DynastyA BRONZE HEXAGONAL ARROW VASE, TOUHUMing DynastyHeavily cast in hexagonal section, the tall slender neck flanked by two lug handles above two applied lively chi dragons, the compressed bulbous body cast with auspicious animals in relief divided by projecting flanges, all raised on a spreading foot. 44.5cm (17 1/2in) high, 4.7kg.明 銅螭龍靈獸紋六方雙貫耳投壺Provenance:Anthony Carter Fine Art, London, 24 June 1993The Brian Harkins Collection來源：1993年6月24日購於倫敦Anthony Carter Fine Art布萊恩·哈金斯珍藏The animals crisply cast on the body can be identified as deer, heavenly horse, xiezhi, rhinoceros, lion, and sheep. They are auspicious creatures symbolising high official rank (deer), success (heavenly horse), integrity (xiezhi), blessing and protection (lion), hope (rhinoceros) and positive force (sheep).壺六方，方唇，壺口兩側鑄貫耳，壺頸前後分鑄兩螭龍攀附，躬身成鋬，獨角，髮髯分成卷雲形，尾不分叉，肩部起地一層，腹部出六高戟，每面鑄浮雕奔足動物，束腰，圈足外撇。此壺銅質精實，地子光素無紋，浮雕動物鑄造鏨刻精細，線條分明。腹部動物為鹿、天馬，獅子，犀牛，羊，獬豸。