A RARE ARCHAIC BRONZE RITUAL WINE VESSEL (ZUN) LATE SHANG DYNASTY

the slightly bulbous body rising to a wide trumpet neck, cast with two opposing taotie masks flanked by pairs of kuilong against a leiwen ground, between pairs of bow-string bands, the interior of the foot cast with three pictographs, the dark silvery-black surface with some malachite and earth encrustation

Old Japanese collection, formed prior to World War II.

Under optical, ultraviolet (UV) light and x ray examination the zun is in overall good condition with a chaplet on the base. The vessel is less blue in color compared to the catalogue illustration.
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.

The three pictographs in the inscription read zi Fu Yi, probably indicating that the son of Fu Yi was responsible for having this vessel made.

The unusual feature of this present lot is the 'mouth' of the taotie, which is cast in as if smiling and opens to reveal small hooked teeth.  One of the same size with similar decoration is in the Idemitsu Bijutsukan, illustrated in Robert W. Bagley, Shang Ritual Bronzes in the Arthur M. Sackler Collections, Washington D.C., 1987, p. 298, fig. 49.8.  The Idemitsu example bears the inscription Mu Fu Ding.  Another similar example bearing the inscription Fu Ding was sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 7th July 2003, lot 612.

An example with similar 'smiling mouth' but with raised flanges bisecting the taotie mask is illustrated ibid., pp. 292-293, no. 49.