A RARE AND VERY LARGE PARCEL-GILT BRONZE 'EXAMINATION DEGREE' ARROW VASE, TOUHU

cylinders masks beneath attached bangyan tanhua taotie zhuangyuan decorated bronze arrow xieyuan mirror parcel-gilt examination degree vase archaistic separated band writhing chilong vertically enclosing motifs characters reading huihuiyuan later shou alternating indicating longevity touhu ming dynasty compressed globular body finely cast flanges shoulders open-mouthed buddhist lions reticulated balls raised spreading foot tall slender neck mouth gilt diamond-pattern target corresponding cylinder represents base plate large 1/8in high rare 61.3cm 13.3kg