Description
This Cloisonné duck zun vessel was fashioned in the form of a duck, with a long neck, short bill, and short legs with webbed feet. The tail feathers are spread upward in the shape of a fan. The mouth of the vessel emerges from the body of the duck, and is topped by a loop handle. The overall design faithfully follows the "Duck Zun Vessel of Zhou II" described in Volume 9 of the Xiqing gujian (Catalog of Xiqing Antiquities), but has an additional amusing awkwardness in terms of its proportion and contours. The front and back of the vessel are decorated with animal mask patterns and the colorful feathers of both wings, and the seemingly awkward form hides an ingenuity that conveys a sense of classical elegance and dignity. This vessel differs greatly from bronze works inlaid with gold and silver in terms of aesthetics, and serves as a clear representation of the artistic taste of the Qianlong Court.