Lot 1236
1236
AN UNUSUAL BRONZE RITUAL FOOD VESSEL AND COVER, GUI
THE PROPERTY OF A GENTLEMAN 
AN UNUSUAL BRONZE RITUAL FOOD VESSEL AND COVER, GUI

LATE WESTERN ZHOU DYNASTY, 8TH CENTURY BC

Details
AN UNUSUAL BRONZE RITUAL FOOD VESSEL AND COVER, GUI
LATE WESTERN ZHOU DYNASTY, 8TH CENTURY BC
The vessel is raised on a broad pedestal foot and has compressed bulbous sides that curve inward towards the rim, and are flat cast with a wave band above a bow-string band. There are four pierced, loop handles that issue from dragon heads with 'snail' horns. The domed cover is decorated with a wave band below the ring handle which encloses a dragon scroll medallion. The bronze has a mottled greyish-green patina and there is green, azurite and earth encrustation on the interior.
8 in. (20.3 cm.) across handles
Provenance
Sotheby's New York, 18 September 1996, lot 132.

Brought to you by

Michael Bass
Michael Bass

Check the condition report or get in touch for additional information about this

+ 1 212 636 2176

If you wish to view the condition report of this lot, please sign in to your account.

Sign in
View condition report

Lot Essay

Compare the gui of related form, but lacking a cover, and with only two dragon-head handles, illustrated by B. Karlgren and J. Wirgin, Chinese Bronzes, The Natanael Wessén Collection, Stockholm, 1969, pp. 52-3, no. 7, Pl. 10, where it is dated Middle Zhou. While the dragon-head handles on the Wessén gui feature similar spiraling 'snail' horns, the handles are not as elaborate as those of the present vessel.

More from Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art Part I

View All
View All