CHINESE ARCHAIC BRONZE RITUAL WINE VESSEL, GU.Shang Dynasty, 13th/12th century B.C. Of slender waisted form with wide trumpet mouth, cast with a band of thick flat scrolls forming two taotie masks divided by low flanges between double-filets, the high flared foot pierced with two cruciform apertures above four panels of asymetrically scrolled zoomorphs with stud "eyes"
NOTE: For a similar vessel, see Sotheby's, New York, September 14, 2011, Sale8763, Lot262. Also see: Robert W. Bagley, Shang Ritual Bronzes in the Arthur M. Sackler Collections, Vol. 1, Washington, D.C., 1987, pp. 217-229. - 11 1/2 in. high. Estimate $6,000-8,000
PROVENANCE: Collection of a Maryland gentleman. Acquired at Sotheby's, New York, October 17, 2001, Sale7696, Lot 4; deacessioned from the Denver Art Museum.
