A RARE BRONZE WINE VESSEL, ZUN

SHANG DYNASTY, 11TH CENTURY BC

Details

A RARE BRONZE WINE VESSEL, ZUN
SHANG DYNASTY, 11TH CENTURY BC
The slightly rounded center section flat cast on two sides with two pairs of vertically arranged horned dragons with rounded eyes shown in a linear style against a ground of fine coiled scrolls and separated by four narrow flanges, between double bow-string bands at the base of the trumpet-shaped neck and the top of the spreading pedestal foot, the base of the interior cast with an inscription, with mottled grey and milky green patina and some encrustation
12½ in. (31.8 cm.) high, Japanese wood box

Provenance

Acquired in Japan prior to World War II.
Japanese private collection.

Lot Essay

The inscription cast in the bottom of the interior consists of a yaxing enclosing a pictograph of two hands holding a high-stemmed vessel placed above two characters, 'Father Ding.'

The decoration on this zun appears to be quite rare. The linear dragons are arranged vertically, perhaps to imply that they are leaping.

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