Récipient Tripode Rituel Archaïque en Bronze, Liding Fin de la Dynastie Shang, ca. 1200 avant J.-C.

reposant sur trois hauts pieds colonnes, le corps divisé en trois lobes en léger relief, chacun décoré en relief de masques de taotie cornus aux grands yeux levés sous des cornes bovines, les bords évasés flanqués de deux anses arrondies, la patine sombre et lisse aux reflets argentés ; accidents et restaurations, D.W 37/62

Discovered at Anyang in January 1937 (according to David-Weill's notes).
Acquired from Edgar Gutman, Paris, April 1937 (according to David-Weill's notes).

The x-rays of the vessel illustrate that there are several breaks to the body of the vessel. There is a crack running from the rim to the left of one handle into the body and across the base around one leg. A second crack extending from the rim to the right of the second handle into the body, across the base and around a leg and upwards with a associated ca. 7x4cm large piece broken out and partially later added and reattached and a ca. 4x2cm large piece later added. The legs may have been reattached. There are malachite encrustations to the body and rim, the bronze patinated to a silver-grey tone. The inventory number D.W. 37.62 is inscribed in white on the base.
"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."

An archaic bronze ritual food vessel of the same type, liding, size and design with the same prominent bovine horns dominating the taotie masks, from the collection of HRH, Crown Prince King Gustav Adolf of Sweden, is illustrated in 'The Exhibition of Early Chinese Bronzes', in Bulletin of the Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities, no. 6, 1933, pl. X.