.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
The clan sign cast on the interior, zi (son), has been identified by some scholars with the clan name of the Shang royal house.
This well-cast, well-proportioned ding is related in form, style of flat-cast decoration, and traces of black inlay, to two ding in the Shanghai Museum, one of which is illustrated in Zhongguo Qingtongqi Quanji - Shang, vol. 2, no. 2, Beijing, 1997, no. 29. The other Shanghai example was included in the exhibition, Ancient Chinese Bronzes in the Collection of the Shanghai Museum, Hong Kong Museum of Art, 1 February-3 April 1983, no. 5. Another very similar ding, which also appears to bear traces of black inlay, is illustrated by J. Pope et. al., The Freer Chinese Bronzes, vol. 1, Washington, 1967, no. 28 (60.18). The columnar legs of these three comparable ding, are all decorated with pendent blades below diagonal scroll bands, unlike the legs of the present vessel, which are undecorated.
This well-cast, well-proportioned ding is related in form, style of flat-cast decoration, and traces of black inlay, to two ding in the Shanghai Museum, one of which is illustrated in Zhongguo Qingtongqi Quanji - Shang, vol. 2, no. 2, Beijing, 1997, no. 29. The other Shanghai example was included in the exhibition, Ancient Chinese Bronzes in the Collection of the Shanghai Museum, Hong Kong Museum of Art, 1 February-3 April 1983, no. 5. Another very similar ding, which also appears to bear traces of black inlay, is illustrated by J. Pope et. al., The Freer Chinese Bronzes, vol. 1, Washington, 1967, no. 28 (60.18). The columnar legs of these three comparable ding, are all decorated with pendent blades below diagonal scroll bands, unlike the legs of the present vessel, which are undecorated.