CHINESE ANCIENT STYLE RITUAL BRONZE VESSEL.19th century or earlier. Vessel influenced by those from the Shang (c. 1600-1046 BCE) and Zhou (c. 1046-256 BCE) dynasties. Broad, rounded body, narrow neck, flaring mouth and foot; pair of loop handles on shoulders, stylized animal heads, are possibly dragons or mythical beasts.; surface decorated with bands of intricate, relief patterns: prominent motif on body and neck resembles the taotie, a stylized, symmetrical animal mask often seen on Shang and Zhou bronzes; background of decorative bands is filled with spiral or key-fret pattern known as leiwen ("thunder pattern"); bands of stylized scrollwork and other geometric motifs. Bottom of the bronze vessel inscribed to the Jiaqing reign (1796 to 1820). - Height: 13.5 inches. Estimate $400-600
