A FINE ARCHAIC BRONZE WINE VESSEL, ZUN EARLY WESTERN ZHOU DYNASTY

the central bulb crisply cast in low relief with a pair of taotie masks each with large bulging eyes amongst bold scrollwork and between bands of circles, the tall flaring neck decorated with a pair of raised lines and the tall spreading foot cast with a narrow taotie mask band, the interior with a two-character inscription, the metal patinated to a silvery brown with extensive areas of malachite encrustation

The zun is in very good overall condition with the exception of some old nibbles and corrosion to the rim and footring and the rim is slightly warped. The metal has a fairly light mottled malachite patination.
"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."

The two-character inscription consists of the character zi (son) and an unidentified graph, which some scholars have associated with the clan name of the Shang royal house.

A related zun, in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, is illustrated in Jessica Rawson, Western Zhou Ritual Bronzes in the Arthur M. Sackler Collections, Washington D.C., 1990, p. 547, fig. 78.2.