20 - A Set of Two Bronze Musical Instruments, Warring States to Western Han Dynasty, Dian Culture: A Sheng and a FluteA set comprising a bronze sheng vessel and a bronze transverse flute, from the Dian culture of the Warring States to Western Han period.

A Set of Two Bronze Musical Instruments, Warring States to Western Han Dynasty, Dian Culture: A Sheng and a FluteA set comprising a bronze sheng vessel and a bronze transverse flute, from the Dian culture of the Warring States to Western Han period. The bronze sheng features a bulbous gourd-shaped body with a slender neck, the gourd chamber perforated for reed insertion, with characteristic thick green and blue patina from burial. The bronze flute is a straight hollow tube pierced with multiple finger holes, retaining ancient casting traces and heavy burial encrustation. These rare bronze wind instruments are consistent with archaeological finds from the Dian kingdom. Cf. the bronze gourd sheng with standing ox unearthed from Tomb M24, Lijiashan, Jiangchuan, and bronze flutes excavated from the Shizhaishan cemetery, both preserved in Yunnan Provincial Museum. Such complete sets of Dian bronze musical instruments are uncommon in collections. Bronze Sheng: H 10 cm; Bronze Flute: L 23 cm [Buried patina overall, the sheng gourd chamber with ancient perforation as designed, minor corrosion consistent with age. The flute intact with all finger holes preserved.] Property from a British Private Collection, acquired at Bonhams Hong Kong, 16 December 2022, Lot 332, with label. Link of detail photos: https://we.tl/t-LStUi5Yn1iiVnWXS