AN ARCHAIC BRONZE TRIPOD FOOD VESSEL, DING SHANG DYNASTY

the deep rounded sides supported on three columnar legs, rising to a waisted neck and lipped rim set with two upright loop handles, the body cast with a frieze of three pairs of confronting bird-like dragons reserved on a leiwen ground and divided by shallow notched flanges, all above pendent cicada lappets, the bronze with light malachite and azurite encrustations, wood stand

Collection of T.Y. King (by repute).
Collection of Dr Ernst Winkler, acquired in the 1940-1950s.

The vessel has restoration to cracks and breaks around the body, including the right side of the body (as illustrated in the catalogue), extending from around the top of the right rear leg, up to the handle and back down towards the front leg.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The present piece belongs to a small group of ding that are cast with a gently flaring neck; see another ding from this group, in the Arthur M. Sackler collection, sold three times in these rooms, in 1947, 1972, and most recently, 19^th May 1984, lot 34, and illustrated in Robert W. Bagley, Shang Ritual Bronzes from the Arthur M. Sackler Collections, vol. 1, Washington D.C., 1987, pl. 85, where it is suggested that the vertical flanges between the confronting birds originated from those found on fang yi vessels where they are used to depict the nose of the taotie mask (see p. 463).

 

Further ding of this type include one from the H. Okura collection, illustrated in Nihon Shûcho Shina Kodô Seikwa [Selected relics of ancient China. Bronzes from collections in Japan], vol. 3, Osaka, 1959, pl. 178; one sold at Christie’s London, 9^th June 1997, lot 13; and a slightly smaller example, sold in our New York rooms, 11^th September 2012, lot 150.