AN ARCHAIC BRONZE RITUAL FOOD VESSEL (GU) SHANG DYNASTY, 12TH CENTURY BC

of tall slender waisted form, the flaring neck with a wide trumpet mouth finely cast with four tapering blades each containing a disjointed taotie mask set upside down on a fine leiwen ground, the straight central section and gently flared foot both similarly decorated with taotie masks assembled from isolated raised elements on a fine leiwen ground and bisected by notched flanges, the surface a a matte light green with areas of brown and green encrustation 

Old Japanese Collection.

The vessel is in overall good condition. The casting is very crisp and fine. It is slightly warped and leaning to one side. The color of the patina is slightly greener than the print catalogue illustration suggests.
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 gu published by Robert W. Bagley in Shang Ritual Bronzes in the Arthur M. Sackler Collections, Washington, D.C., 1987, p. 248, no. 36, is similarly decorated with taotie masks assembled from isolated raised elements and covered with leiwen spirals. This special design feature is characteristic of bronze designs classified by Max Loehr as 'Style Va'. A number of gu and jue recovered from sites of the latter Anyang period at Anyang demonstrate that 'Style Va' designs were well suited to these two vessel types. See ibid., pp. 249-250 and p. 255.