EASTERN ZHOU DYNASTY (770-256 BC)

Details

A BRONZE RITUAL COOKING VESSEL AND COVER, DUN
EASTERN ZHOU DYNASTY (770-256 BC)
The bulbous vessel and the cover are cast in mirror image so that the cover, when inverted, can be used as a bowl. Both are flat-cast with two different bands of a repeating pattern of intertwined serpents on a granular ground, and the slightly recessed bands at the rims are also decorated, as are the faceted loop handles. The spreading ring surmounting the cover is centered by a flower head encircled by three further serpents with split and entwined bodies. There is light encrustation in the interior and on the exterior.
7 7/8 in. (20 cm.) high

Provenance

Acquired in New York, October 1999.
Christie's New York, 21 March 2000, lot 177.

Brought to you by

Nick Wilson

Check the condition report or get in touch for additional information about this

nwilson@christies.com 212 636 2180

If you wish to view the condition report of this lot, please sign in to your account.

View condition report

Lot Essay

Compare the dun of similar rare form and slightly smaller size (6¼ in. high) cast with bands of different interlocked dragon decoration in the Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, illustrated by G.W. Weber, Jr. in The Ornaments of Late Chou Bronzes, Rutgers University, New Jersey, 1973, pp. 184-5, pl. 32.

More from Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art

View All