SHANG DYNASTY, 13TH CENTURY BC

Three similar gu, dated to the 13th century BC, are illustrated by R.W. Bagley, Shang Ritual Bronzes in the Arthur M. Sackler Collections, The Arthur M. Sackler Foundation, 1987, nos. 25, 26 and 27. These three gu, and the present vessel, share the same kind of finely cast leiwen-like scrolls that define the decoration. Another gu with similar cast decoration was sold at Christie's New York, 13 September 2012, lot 1219.