商中晚期 公元前十四至十三世紀 青銅饕餮紋瓿

of ovoid form rising to a short tapering neck cast with a pair of bowstring bands below the everted rim and resting on a high, slightly splayed foot,  the central band crisply cast with a series of three taotie patterns centering a low narrow ridge, surmounted by a band of confronting kui dragons, the pattern echoing the rear section of the taotie below, and divided by three raised horned masks which are centered over the taotie of the main register, the dragon pattern repeated around the base and interrupted by three apertures, all against a leiwen ground, the smooth olive green patina with scattered areas of malachite encrustation, Japanese wood box (2)

 日本私人舊藏。

One small section of the rim and one section of the foot have been restored.
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.

相仿瓿在Robert W. Bagley著書中亦有討論，《Shang Ritual Bronzes in the Arthur M. Sackler Collections》，華盛頓D.C.，1987年，圖版57，圖57.1，頁334-336。另一類同例子，舊藏佐野美術館，三島市，日本，售於紐約蘇富比2011年9月14日，拍品編號265。瓿首現於商二里岡文化晚期的鑄銅作坊，至西周初期消失。此件器形大小及容量驚人，表面紋樣繁複，飾饕餮及龍紋淺浮雕，上有三個雙眼凸起立雕牛頭。與上述Sackler所藏作例同樣，這類紋飾的設計呼應了鑄模的三個部位相接處。