A rare archaic bronze wine vesssel (you) Shang Dynasty

the compressed pear-shaped body cast in low-relief with a pair of large taotie animal-masks centered on a low flange, set below two pairs of addorsed dragons around the rim and four pairs of confronting dragons skirting the foot, all reserved against a fine leiwen ground, the neck fitted with a bail swing handle cast with further pairs of confronting dragons terminating with a horned dragon head on each side, the slightly domed cover similarly cast with two pairs of taotie animal-masks separated by raised flanges, all below a mushroom cap finial, the smooth pale green patina covered with light patches of malachite encrustation

Acquired in Taipei, Taiwan, 1982.

Ching Wan Society Millennium Exhibition, Taipei, Taiwan, October 2000, cat.no. 110.

cover with four cracks/hairlines to four extremities of edge of lip, ranging from 7 to 14mm, significant areas of wear to surface, particularly to edge of lip, with associated lines 'painted' on the surface where ornament has been worn away, probable patina enhancements to said areas, similar worn, inpainted and repatinated areas over approximately 40% of body of vessel, possible repairs to edge of foot approx. 2.4 cm in length, interior of vessel with several hairlines/cracks/casting flaws, particularly to bottom and lower sides of interior, under Uv light no fluorescing areas
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 you excavated at Jiajiacun, Qishan county, Shaanxi province, and attributed to the late Shang period, is illustrated in Shaanxi chutu Shang Zhou qingtongqi (Bronzes of Shang and Zhou Dynasties Unearthed in Shaanxi Province), vol.1, Beijing, 1979, pl.24; and again in Zhongguo qingtongqi quanji, vol.4, Beijing, 1998, pl.168-9; another similar piece is published in W. Perceval Yetts, The Cull Chinese Bronzes, London, 1939, pls III-VI, no.3; and for a similar vessel in the Shanghai Museum, see Chen Peifen, Ancient Chinese Bronzes in the Shanghai Museum, London, 1995, pl.15.