Lot 108
  • 108

A BRONZE RITUAL VESSEL WITH INSCRIPTION (YOU) WESTERN ZHOU DYNASTY 11TH-10TH CENTURY BC

Estimate
25,000 - 40,000 USD
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Description

  • bronze
the pear-shaped body of oval section with compressed bulging belly, raised on a splayed foot with two bowstrings, on the neck a band enclosing stylized birds and two animal masks in relief, the domed cover with a raised central knob and wedge-shaped projection on either end, decorated with a circular band of bird motifs, the arched swing handle with cicada patterns and well-modeled animal heads at both terminals, an eight-character inscription LUO ZUO FU GUI BAO ZUN YI X (Luo made this precious ritual vessel to honor Father Gui.  X) cast inside the vessel and underneath the cover  

Provenance

Private American collection.

Literature

Luo Zhenyu, A Collection of Surviving Ancient Writings at Zhensong Studio, 1930, vol. 8, p. 26, fig. 1.

Luo Zhenyu, Surviving Writings from the Xia, Shang Zhou Dynasties, 1937, vol. 13, p. 28, figs. 6-7.

Yan Yiping, Corpus of Bronze Inscriptions, Taipei, 1983, no. 5411.

Institute of Archaeology, CASS, Compendium of Shang and Zhou Bronze Inscriptions, Beijing, 1984-94, no. 5411.

Wang Xiantang, A Record of Bronze and Stone Inscriptions in Chinese History, Qingdao, 2004, no.310.

Wu Zhenfeng, Compendium of Inscriptions and Images of Bronzes from Shang and Zhou Dynasties, Shanghai, 2012, no. 13219.

Condition

The lower belly and the rim foot have been seriously damaged by heavy encrustation and erosion. There are visible cracks of about 2½ in. on the lower belly with later repairs. The cover has heavy encrustation and one crack restored. The central knob on the cover is damaged by encrustation with one section being a replacement.
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.