Lot Essay
Compare the quite similar you illustrated in Mayuyama, Seventy Years, vol. 2, Tokyo, 1976, p. 27, no. 21. As with the present example the birds on the decorative band have their heads turned backwards, and the band on the cover appears similar. But there is a single rather than double bowstring band encircling the foot. Compare, also, the similar example illustrated by Christian Deydier, Les Bronzes Chinois, Switzerland, 1980, p. 224, fig. 60. Another you with the same decorative band on the vessel but differences in the cover band, foot and masks on the handles is illustrated by John Alexander Pope, et al, The Freer Chinese Bronzes, vol. I, Washington, 1967, pl. 54. Other published you have different types of birds facing the masks or dragons in the decorative bands and sometimes a knop finial rather than the hollowed finial on the present you and previously cited examples
The pictographs inside the vessel and cover read, "fu yi", which may be translated as Father Yi
An analysis by Conservation and Technical Services Ltd., University of London, is consistent with the dating of this lot
The pictographs inside the vessel and cover read, "fu yi", which may be translated as Father Yi
An analysis by Conservation and Technical Services Ltd., University of London, is consistent with the dating of this lot