AN ARCHAIC BRONZE RITUAL WINE VESSEL (GU) SHANG DYNASTY

of slender form cast with four blades on the trumpet neck, the middle section and spreading foot cast with taotie masks decorated with leiwen and divided by vertical hooked flanges, the top of the foot encircled by a  pair of bow-string bands interrupted by a cruciform opening, the interior of the foot cast with two pictographs, with scattered areas of malachite encrustation, the smooth surfaces with mottled milky-green patina

Old Japanese collection, formed prior to World War II.

Under optical, ultraviolet (UV) light and x ray examination the vessel has a vertical crack to the upper section, a small restored crack running from the rim, a restored crack along the base of the raised taotie band, a network of finer cracks to the lower section and a star-crack to the base. There is a small section of loss to the foot rim. The vase is greener than 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 two pictographs cast in the interior of the foot read Ya Zhou and may be a personal name.