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Lot Essay
In 1962, a cylindrical gilt-bronze vessel with a cover raised on three bear-form supports, and decorated around the sides with two bands cast in relief with animals and birds amidst mountains, was discovered at Yuyu, Shanxi, and was subsequently included in the exhibition, The Genius of China, Royal Academy, London, 29 September 1973 - 23 January 1974, p. 111, no. 175. It is engraved with an inscription, that describes it as a ''bronze vessel for warming wine" (wen jiu zun), as well as the weight, the maker, Hufu of Zhongling in Hoping, and a date, 3rd year (28 BC), which according to the entry is the first time the purpose of vessels of this shape had been named in an inscription. The entry also notes that in scenes of feasting of this period, which are carved in stone or impressed in bricks, "the tsun is shown standing on the floor between rows of guests."
Compare the similar bronze zun and mountain-form cover with phoenix-form finial, found at the Han tombs in Guangzhou and illustrated in Guangzhou Han mu (Excavation of the Han Tombs at Guangzhou), vol. 1, Beijing, 1981, p. 164 (2), where it is dated late Eastern Han dynasty, vol. II, p. 434, and illustrated in a line drawing, p. 435, no. 5. For a rubbing of the top of a tray (pan) of the same type as the present tray, see vol. II, p. 408, fig. 249.
Compare the similar bronze zun and mountain-form cover with phoenix-form finial, found at the Han tombs in Guangzhou and illustrated in Guangzhou Han mu (Excavation of the Han Tombs at Guangzhou), vol. 1, Beijing, 1981, p. 164 (2), where it is dated late Eastern Han dynasty, vol. II, p. 434, and illustrated in a line drawing, p. 435, no. 5. For a rubbing of the top of a tray (pan) of the same type as the present tray, see vol. II, p. 408, fig. 249.