THE FU YI ZHI A BRONZE RITUAL WINE VESSEL EARLY WESTERN ZHOU DYNASTY, 11TH-10TH CENTURY BC

the elegantly curved slender vessel rising from a high splayed foot and surmounted by a trumpet-like mouth, the underside of the zhi decorated in thread relief with a turtle motif, cast inside the vessel with a two-character inscription, the surface with a light malachite encrustation, with fitted stand (2)

Private Japanese collection.

The x-ray images reveal that a small section on the rim has been broken off and reattached; otherwise the piece is in overall good condition.
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.

It is rare to find decoration on the underside of a bronze vessel and it only appears on certain vessel types such as gui, pan, you, and zhi. A very similar zhi with a coiled dragon on the underside is illustrated by Yu Xingyu, in Shuangjianchi jijin tulu (Catalogue of Archaic Bronzes in the Shuangjianchi Studio), 1934, vol. 1, p. 48.

The boxes for this lot are inscribed with two notes: one written by Zoroku (1855-1932); the other written by Professor Matsumaru Michio, dated 2005.