Lot 109
  • 109

THE XU WANG DING AN IMPORTANT BRONZE FOOD VESSEL MIDDLE SPRING AND AUTUMN PERIOD, 7TH-6TH CENTURY BC

Estimate
100,000 - 150,000 USD
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Description

  • bronze
the rounded body resting on three cabriole legs, cast around the body with a border of entwined stylized dragon motifs above a single bowstring band, the everted rim set with a pair of loop handles, each decorated with evenly spaced dots and two grooves, the surface of a smooth olive-green patina, the interior wall cast with a long twenty seven-character inscription

Provenance

Collection of Liu Tizhi (1879-1962).

Literature

Luo Zhenyu, Zhensongtang jigu yiwen, (Gathering of Ancient Writings in the Zhensongtang Studio), 1930, vol. 3, p. 21.
Yu Xingwu, Shuangjianchi jijin wenxuan, (Selected Bronze Inscriptions in the Shuangjianchi studio), 1934, vol. 1.2, p. 18.
Liu Tizhi, Shanzhai jijin lu, (The Records of Archaic Bronzes in the Shanzhai Studio), 1934, vol. 2, p. 74.
Liu Tizhi, Xiaojiaojingge jinwen taben, (Rubbings of Archaic Bronze Inscriptions in the Xiaojiaojingge Studio), 1935, vol. 2, p. 98.
Ke Changji, Weihuage jigulu bawei, (Explanatory Notes of Bronze Inscriptions in the Weihuage Studio), vol. 9, p. 5.
Guo Morou, Liangzhou jinwenci daxi tulu kaoshi (A Study of Bronze Inscriptions from the Western and Eastern Zhou Dynasties), 1935, p. 164.
Luo Zhenyu, Sandai jijin wencun, (Surviving Writings from the Xia, Shang, and Zhou Dynasties), 1936, vol. 4, p. 9.
Rong Geng, Shanzhai yiqi tulu, (Catalogue of Archaic Bronzes in the Shanzhai Studio), 1936, p. 36.
Rong Geng, Shangzhou yiqi tongkao, (A General Study of Archaic Bronzes in the Yin and Zhou Dynasties), 1941, vol. 2, no. 88.
Yang Shuda, Jiweiju jinwen shuo (Studies of Bronze Inscriptions in the Jiweiju Studio), Beijing, 1959, pp. 145-146. 
Shizuka Shirakawa, Kimbun no sekai (General Interpretations of Bronze Inscriptions), Tokyo, 1973, vol. 4, p. 568.
Yan Yiping, Jinwen Zongji, (Corpus of Bronze Inscriptions), Taipei, 1983, no. 1194.
The Institute of Archaeology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Yinzhou jinwen jicheng, (Compendium of Yin and Zhou Bronze Inscriptions), Beijing, 1984, vol. 5, p. 88, no. 2675.
Wu Zhenfeng, Shangzhou qingtongqi mingwen ji tuxiang jicheng, (Compendium of Inscriptions and Images of Bronzes from the Shang and Zhou Dynasties), Shanghai, 2012, vol. 5, pp. 59-60, no. 2309.

Condition

The x-ray images reveal that there is a restored crack around half of the everted rim. One handle has been broken and restored. There is a vertical crack approx 2 in. (5 cm) long, visible on the interior wall. There is an impact as well as a star crack on the exterior wall.
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.