SHANG DYNASTY (1600-1100 BC)

Details

A BRONZE RITUAL WINE VESSEL, GU
SHANG DYNASTY (1600-1100 BC)
The trumpet-form neck is cast with four leiwen-filled blades rising from a band of S-shaped serpents. The middle section and spreading foot are cast in high relief with the disconnected parts of a taotie mask reserved on a fine leiwen ground divided by notched flanges, either side of a band of kui dragons. A two-character clan mark, zi mi, is cast inside the foot. The bronze has a mottled milky-green patina.
12 1/8 in. (30.7 cm.) high

Provenance

With C.T. Loo, Paris, by repute
Private European Collection, acquired prior to 1998.

Special notice

These lots have been imported from outside the EU for sale using a Temporary Import regime. Import VAT is payable (at 5%) on the Hammer price. VAT is also payable (at 20%) on the buyer’s Premium on a VAT inclusive basis. When a buyer of such a lot has registered an EU address but wishes to export the lot or complete the import into another EU country, he must advise Christie's immediately after the auction.

Brought to you by

Kate Hunt Director, Head of Department

khunt@christies.com +44 (0) 20 7752 3389

Lot Essay

The gu is the quintessential vessel type in Shang ritual paraphernalia, and together with a jue or jiao it forms the basic wine vessel set for aristocrats to perform rites. The higher the rank of the aristocrat, the greater number of gu-jue/jiao vessel sets. Gu were one of the most important vessels used in Shang ritual practices, attested to by the inclusion of fifty-three in the tomb of Fu Hao. The present gu is associated with the 'mature' style of gu from 13th to 11th century BC, which all exhibit the same distinctive structure and the same decorative format of motifs.

More from Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art

View All