LATE SHANG-EARLY WESTERN ZHOU DYNASTY, 12TH-11TH CENTURY BC

The shape of this hu, and the use of a large horned taotie mask as the lower register of decoration, as well as the bow-string bands on the neck, are similar to a hu in the British Museum, illustrated by W. Watson in Ancient Chinese Bronzes, London, 1962, pl. 5, where it is dated to the Shang dynasty, 12th-11th century BC. These features can also be seen on a hu illustrated by R. d'Argencé in Bronze Vessels of Ancient China in the Avery Brundage Collection, Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, 1977, pl. XIV (right), which is dated late Shang, 11th century.

A Technical Examination Report is available upon request.