Page 196 - Chinese Works of Art Chritie's Mar. 22-23 2018

910
A SMALL BRONZE RITUAL WINE VESSEL, MU NING RI XIN ZUN
LATE SHANG DYNASTY, 11TH CENTURY BC
The vessel has a plain trumpet-shaped neck, and a rounded middle section cast on each side in intaglio
with a taotie mask, repeated on the molded foot. The interior of the foot is cast with a four-character
inscription, mu ning ri xin. The surface has a greyish-green patina with malachite and cuprite encrustation
overall.
7√ in. (20 cm.) high
$40,000-60,000

PROVENANCE
The Mengdiexuan Collection, Hong Kong, acquired prior to 1990.
EXHIBITED
Hong Kong, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Ancient Chinese and Ordos Bronzes,
12 October - 2 December 1990.
Hong Kong, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Wood, Metal, Water, Fire and Earth,
18 January 2002-30 August 2006.
Hong Kong, Art Museum, Chinese University of Hong Kong, The First Dragon of China: Hong Kong’s
Dragon Culture, 10 February 2012-27 January 2013.

LITERATURE
J. Rawson and E. Bunker, Ancient Chinese and Ordos Bronzes, Hong Kong, 1990, p. 116, no. 29 (part).
For a discussion of the Mu Ning Ri Xin group of bronzes see the note to lot 908.
商晚期 青銅母嬣日辛尊

(inscription) (rubbing of inscription)

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