AN ARCHAIC BRONZE RITUAL FOOD VESSEL, GUI WESTERN ZHOU DYNASTY, 10TH CENTURY BC

the swelling body cast below the everted rim with a band of gui dragons in profile with clawed feet and scrolled tails reserved on a leiwen ground confronted on a small animal mask in relief on two sides, with a band of similar dragons on the tall, flared foot, two of the dragons centered by a narrow flange to form taotie masks, the vessel flanked by a pair of loop handles each surmounted by a bovine mask and terminating in a hooked pendent tab, with mottled pale green patina and some malachite and cuprite encrustation




 

Parish Watson & Company, Inc., New York (by repute).
Collection of Mrs. Beverly Bogart.
Thence by descent in the family.

Large parts of the body and the rim of the vessel have been reconstructed and restored incorporating existing parts and overpainted simulating green patina.
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.