CHINESE CARVED HARDSTONE ARCHAISTIC PIXIU VESSEL

LATE 20TH CENTURY A TWO-PIECE CHINESE HARDSTONE VESSEL COMPRISING A REMOVABLE RITUAL CUP NESTED INTO A WINGED BEAST BASE. THE LOWER BASE SECTION IS CARVED AS A WINGED PIXIU WITH AN OPEN JAW AND A HOLLOWED BACK. THE REMOVABLE UPPER CUP IS A RITUAL GONG DECORATED WITH ARCHAIC TAOTIE MASK MOTIFS. THE REAR LOOP HANDLE FEATURES AN ATTACHED LOOSE HARDSTONE RING. THE UNDERSIDE IS UNMARKED. MEASURES APPROX. 8" TALL (ASSEMBLED), 7.5" LONG AND 3.5" WIDE