AN ARCHAIC RITUAL BRONZE FOOD VESSEL, GUI ZHOU DYNASTY

the deep U-shaped sides rising to an everted rim flanked by a pair of loop handles each issuing from a bovine mask and terminating in a hooked pendent tab, cast with a wide band of diamonds and bosses around the body between borders of kui dragons and taotie scrolls, the upper border separated by a small central head of a horned mythical beast in high-relief on both sides, the greenish-brown patina with light malachite encrustation

Sotheby’s New York, 8th May 1980, lot 46.

The gui is in very good condition with the exception of some minor nicks to the extremities and possible loss to the casting on the tabs at the base of each handle. There is very light scattered malachite encrustation to the surface.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This vessel is striking for its robust form and well-defined diamond pattern and represents a group of archaic bronze ritual vessels that were produced throughout the early and middle Western Zhou period. Vessels of this type are discussed by Jessica Rawson in Western Zhou Ritual Bronzes from the Arthur M. Sackler Collections, vol. IIB, Washington D.C., 1990, pp 370-378, who notes that this design was inherited from the late Shang period and appears to have been very popular in Shaanxi province, where a large number of these vessels were excavated.  While late Shang and early Western Zhou examples feature small diamonds, often with sharply projecting bosses, the large diamonds on this piece suggests a middle Western Zhou date.

 

Three gui with diamond patterns, but cast with various bands at the neck, in the Freer and Sackler Galleries, Washington D.C., are illustrated ibid., pls 40, 41 and 45. Compare also two gui with diamond patterns, excavated in Baoji, Shaanxi province, illustrated in Baoji Yu guo mudi/ Yu State Cemeteries in Baoji, Beijing, 1988, pl. CLIX, nos 1 and 3, the first with its matching cover; another unearthed at a tomb in Qucun, Quwuo county, Shanxi province, illustrated in Zhongguo qingtongqi quanji [Complete collection of Chinese bronzes], Beijing, 1997, vol. 6, pl. 39; and a further example sold in our New York rooms, 21st September 2006, lot 267.