Lot Essay
Compare the gu of similar shape, with comparable leiwen-filled blades, illustrated by Jung Kêng, The Bronzes of Shang and Chou, vol. II, Yenching Journal of Chinese Studies, Beijing, 1941, p. 292, fig. 559
EARLY BRONZES
PROPERTY FROM THE COLLECTION OF ROBERT G. CALDER, JR.
A BRONZE WINE VESSEL, GU
Details
A BRONZE WINE VESSEL, GU
LATE SHANG/ZHOU DYNASTY
Of slender proportions, the spreading pedestal foot cast in shallow relief with two taotie masks reserved on a leiwen ground, each centered on and the two divided by narrow flanges, the knop similarly decorated, and the tall trumpet neck decorated at its base with a narrow band of four scrolled snakes reserved on panels of leiwen below leiwen-filled blades rising towards the flared mouth rim, the smooth patina of olive tone mottled in dark red and with areas of cuprous and ferrous oxide encrustation--10 5/8in. (27cm.) high
LATE SHANG/ZHOU DYNASTY
Of slender proportions, the spreading pedestal foot cast in shallow relief with two taotie masks reserved on a leiwen ground, each centered on and the two divided by narrow flanges, the knop similarly decorated, and the tall trumpet neck decorated at its base with a narrow band of four scrolled snakes reserved on panels of leiwen below leiwen-filled blades rising towards the flared mouth rim, the smooth patina of olive tone mottled in dark red and with areas of cuprous and ferrous oxide encrustation--10 5/8in. (27cm.) high