EARLY EASTERN ZHOU DYNASTY, 8TH/7TH CENTURY B.C.

Details

A Bronze Pouring Vessel, Yi
Early Eastern Zhou Dynasty, 8th/7th Century B.C.
Raised on four flat scrolled dragon supports, with a flat-cast band of interlaced dragon scroll below the rim and a loop handle formed by the arched body of a dragon, its mouth biting the rim and its head surmounted by two confronted dragons with truncated bodies, with pale green encrustation
10¼in. (26cm.) long

Lot Essay

Of the similar yi published, none appears to have plain sides below the band of interlaced dragon scroll and none appears to have as intricate a dragon head terminal on the handle as does the present example. See the similar related yi decorated with a band of interlaced dragon scroll above ribbed sides excavated at Luoshan, Henan province, illustrated in Wenwu, 1980:1, pp. 51-52, fig. 2; and another illustrated by B. Karlgren, 'Yin and Chou in Chinese Bronzes', B.M.F.E.A., No. 8, Stockholm, 1936, pl. XLV, C 39.

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