LATE SHANG DYNASTY, 12TH-11TH CENTURY BC

The yu vessel shape was popular during the Anyang phase of Shang dynasty, but disappeared during the Western Zhou dynasty. A very similar yu is illustrated by J.A. Pope et al., The Freer Chinese Bronzes, Washington, 1967, vol. I, p. 343, pl. 61, where it is dated Shang dynasty, middle-late Anyang, 12th-11th century BC. A late Shang yu of this type with similar arrangement of decoration, but of more squat proportions and with less pronounced notched flanges dividing and separating the decoration on the body, is illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum - 27 - Bronze Ritual Vessels and Musical Instruments, Hong Kong, 2006, no. 8, and another example from the Tse Yuan Tang Collection was sold in these rooms, 16 September 2010, lot 818.