Lot Essay
The shape of this hu, the broad band of decoration divided by narrow flanges and the lug handles flat-cast with dragon masks are comparable to two hu illustrated by B. Karlgren, "Some Characteristics of the Yin Art", BMFEA, no. 34, Stockholm, 1962, pl. 53 a and b. Both of these also appear to be of small size. The first hu is in the Malmö Musuem and has a narrow scroll band above the main decorative band, similar to that of the present vessel, while the main decorative band on the second hu in the collection of the Academia Sinica, appears to be as broad as that of the Sackler vessel.