西周早期 青銅征中祖己尊

the cylindrical body rising from a spreading foot to a flared rim, the raised mid section finely cast with two taotie on a leiwen ground above two further smaller taotie at the foot, divided with four sets of vertical flanges, the surface with a mottled green patina and some malachite encrustation, the interior of the foot with a bold inscription reading Zheng Zhong Zu Yi (Grandfather Yi of the Zheng Zhong clan)

林巳奈夫，《殷周時代青銅器の研究－殷周青銅器綜覧（一）》，東京，1986年，頁225

On the basis of Xrays and a visual inspection, the zun is in good overall condition with the exception of a couple of tiny nicks to the rim and an uneven footring.
"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."

本品飾饕餮獸面紋，鑄工簡勁深峻，以雷紋襯地，弧頸高聳。本品保存良好，饕餮面紋精細、雙角弧圓，造型罕見。可比較一例，饕餮紋式樣與本品相類，曾展於《Ancient Chinese Bronzes》，山中商會，倫敦，1925年，編號19。

尚可參考一件器形與本品相似的青銅尊，以雷紋襯地，但饕餮紋稍異，錄於容庚，<商周彝器通考>，《燕京學報》，下冊，圖版265，編號505；另一件刊於Vadime Elisseeff，《Bronzes Archaiques Chinois au Musée Cernusch》，巴黎，1977年，第一冊，圖版33；可再參考一件稍小近例，售於倫敦蘇富比1973年3月15日，編號404；第四例為Arnold M. Grant舊藏，售於紐約佳士得1979年11月20日，編號71。Charles L. Rutherston曾收藏一件類例，但紋飾較淺，售於倫敦蘇富比1995年3月22日，編號119。

此類青銅尊，亦有不帶雷紋者，Robert W. Bagley專著載錄一例，《Shang Ritual Bronzes in the Arthur M. Sackler Collections》，卷一，劍橋，1987年，圖版50；另一件屬芝加哥藝術學院Buckingham收藏，錄於梅原末治，《歐米蒐儲支那古銅精華》，第一冊，大阪，1933年，圖版16；再有一例藏聖路易藝術博物館，聖路易斯，圖見Steven D. Owyoung，《Ancient Chinese Bronzes》，聖路易斯，1997年，圖版14。

尊為盛酒禮器，最早見於二里崗晚期，興於商代。肩部起棱，或如本品般，向上收斂外撇，似源自上古青銅觚。