A hexagonal bronze arrow vase (touhu). Ming dynasty, probably 16th century
The sectional globular body supported on a tall foot is subdivided by flanches into six panels with running fabulous animals in high relief, the neck encircled by a dragon and the mouth flanked by hexagonal appendages decorated with archaistic ornaments in relief.
Height 58 cm
The arrow vase is associated with a very ancient game called touhu and in ancient times was played during and after banquets and drinking gatherings. Two or three contestants aimed short wooden arrows into one of the tree openings. Higher points were awarded for arrows thrown into the side openings, which was presumably more difficult than aiming for the central receptacle. The looser was made to drink a cup of wine. The game of touhu underwent a major revival in the 16th century.
明可能為十六世紀 銅凸雕螭龍紋貫耳瓶
來源：荷蘭私人收藏
可比：O. Münsterberg，Chinesische Kunstgeschichte (中國藝術史)，德國埃斯林根 1912年，卷二編，頁136 與 P.H. Hu，Later Chinese Bronzes (晚期中國青銅器)，聖路易斯藝術博物館及 Robert E. Kresko 收藏，聖路易斯 2008年，圖 5
Provenance
Private collection, The Netherlands
Literature
Compare similar vases ill. in: O. Münsterberg, Chinesische Kunstgeschichte, Esslingen 1912, vol. 2, p. 136 and P.H. Hu, Later Chinese Bronzes, The Saint Louis Art Museum and Robert E. Kresko Collections, Saint Louis 2008, cat. no. 5