Lot Essay
Compare with the similar gu vessels illustrated by Pope, Gettens, Cahill and Barnard in The Freer Chinese Bronzes, 1967, p.55 and p.17; by Lichi, Yin-shang Shih-tai Academia Sinica Bulletin, 34, pl.VII, no.2, and pl.IX, no.2; in the Bulletin of the Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities, 1937, no.9, pl.XXI, no.771, from the Rohss Museum, Gotenberg; by Yetts, The Eumorfopolous Collection, pl.XXXIII, no.A42; by the National Palace Museum, Catalogue of the Special Exhibition of Shang and Zhou Dynasty Bronze Wine Vessels, 1989, pl.11; and in Shaanxi Chutu Shang Zhou Qingtong Qi, vol.I, p.165.
Other similar gu with pierced work are illustrated by Rawson, from the British Museum, Western Zhou Ritual Bronzes from the Arthur M. Sackler Collections, vol.IIA, P.60, Fig.75; by R. Bagley, from the Arthur M. Sackler Collection, Shang Ritual Bronzes in the Arthur M.Sackler Collections, 1987, p.217, no.25; p.219, fig. 25.6; p.221, no.26; and p.225, no.27.
It has been suggested that vessels of this type were originally used as communal cups at rituals, holding enough to be passed around from one individual to another, or as libation cups for honouring ancestors. For an excellent discussion see Kerr, ed., T.T.Tsui Gallery of Chinese Art, Exhibition of Chinese Art and Design, Victoria and Albert Museum, Catalogue, p.172.
Comparable examples were sold in these Rooms, 17 November 1970, lot 41; 7 June 1946, lot 91; and 10 December 1985, lot 91.
Other similar gu with pierced work are illustrated by Rawson, from the British Museum, Western Zhou Ritual Bronzes from the Arthur M. Sackler Collections, vol.IIA, P.60, Fig.75; by R. Bagley, from the Arthur M. Sackler Collection, Shang Ritual Bronzes in the Arthur M.Sackler Collections, 1987, p.217, no.25; p.219, fig. 25.6; p.221, no.26; and p.225, no.27.
It has been suggested that vessels of this type were originally used as communal cups at rituals, holding enough to be passed around from one individual to another, or as libation cups for honouring ancestors. For an excellent discussion see Kerr, ed., T.T.Tsui Gallery of Chinese Art, Exhibition of Chinese Art and Design, Victoria and Albert Museum, Catalogue, p.172.
Comparable examples were sold in these Rooms, 17 November 1970, lot 41; 7 June 1946, lot 91; and 10 December 1985, lot 91.