An archaic bronze ritual pouring vessel (yi) Late Western Zhou / Spring and Autumn period

the rounded sides tapering on one end to the long curved channeled spout, cast with lateral fluting below a narrow border of highly stylized zoomorphs encircling the rim, continuing through the loop handle formed by the arched body of a ferocious feline beast with elaborate spiraling horns, projecting scales and coiled tail reaching up from the base of the vessel to bite the rim, all raised on four supports, the front pair cast in the form of an animal mask set atop clawed feet and the back pair as the hindquarters and legs of the beast, covered overall with malachite encrustation

Acquired by the present owner in the early 1990s; prior to that, on the Hong Kong art market in the early 1980s.

The vessel is in good overall condition and covered with malachite, cuprite and traces of azurite encrustation. UV light shows that there are no restorations or breaks.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

A similar yi from the Bella and P.P. Chiu Collection which was sold in our London rooms, 7th June 2000, lot 12, is illustrated in Jessica Rawson, The Bella and P.P. Chiu Collection of Ancient Chinese Bronzes, Hong Kong, 1988, no. 31, where the author discusses that yi were used to pour water and are found together with water basins (pan) in ritual vessel sets.  A  very similar yi excavated from a site of the state of Zeng in Jingshan county, Hubei province, is illustrated in Wenwu, 1972, no. 2, p. 51, fig. 5; another with a somewhat different design border n the Shanghai Museum is published in Zhongguo qingtongqi quanji, vol. 6, Beijing, 1997, pl. 147.  Compare also one sold in our London rooms, 9th June 2004, lot 138.