Lot Essay
The four-character inscription may be translated as ‘(made) ritual vessel for Ancestor Gui of the Ran clan.’
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EARLY WESTERN ZHOU DYNASTY, 11TH CENTURY BC
Details
A BRONZE RITUAL FOOD VESSEL, GUI
EARLY WESTERN ZHOU DYNASTY, 11TH CENTURY BC
The body is cast on each side with two pairs of dragons centered on a small animal mask within bow-string borders interrupted by a pair of handles which are cast at the top with animal heads and at the bottom with a pendent tab cast with the claws and tail feathers of a bird. A similar band of pairs of dragons confronted on a stylized mask encircles the foot, and the interior is cast with a four-character inscription, reading ran zu gui yi. The vessel has a mottled dark grey patina and some ferrous and malachite encrustation.
12 in. (30 cm.) across handles
EARLY WESTERN ZHOU DYNASTY, 11TH CENTURY BC
The body is cast on each side with two pairs of dragons centered on a small animal mask within bow-string borders interrupted by a pair of handles which are cast at the top with animal heads and at the bottom with a pendent tab cast with the claws and tail feathers of a bird. A similar band of pairs of dragons confronted on a stylized mask encircles the foot, and the interior is cast with a four-character inscription, reading ran zu gui yi. The vessel has a mottled dark grey patina and some ferrous and malachite encrustation.
12 in. (30 cm.) across handles
Provenance
Charlotte Hortsmann (1908-2003), Hong Kong.
Professor Charles Patrick Fitzgerald (1902-1992) Collection, Far Eastern History Department, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia.
David Ho Antiques, Sydney, Australia.
Private collection, Sydney, Australia.
Professor Charles Patrick Fitzgerald (1902-1992) Collection, Far Eastern History Department, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia.
David Ho Antiques, Sydney, Australia.
Private collection, Sydney, Australia.
Literature
Arts of Asia, Hong Kong, November-December 1989.
Brought to you by
Olivia Hamilton