西周早期 公元前十世紀 青銅鳳鳥紋卣

of rounded elliptical section, supported on a broad, thinly cast and slightly splayed footrim, the body decorated with a frieze of two paired birds with long hooked tails in relief on a leiwen ground confronted on a high-relief bovine mask, with two loops on the bail handle concealed by two further bovine heads, the fitted cover with plain slightly concave sides and a pair of neat bowstrings with everted tabs at either end, below a bud-form knop, with a five-character inscription reading Cong fu zu zun yi (Shu made Father Yi this precious vessel) within the cover and the base of the vessel, with wood stand and Japanese box (4)

第二次世界大戰前購於日本。

There are two casting flaws on the rim. There is heavy encrustation on the belly caused by bronze disease.
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.

The present vessel is quite unusual in that it represents the stylistic evolution of the form from the Shang to the Zhou dynasties.  While it retains the rounded knob associated with Shang you, its elliptical form and everted tabs are typical of Western Zhou versions of the form.