Page 12 - Christie's London Fine Chinese Ceramics Nov. 2019

PROPERTY FROM AN IMPORTANT PRIVATE EUROPEAN COLLECTION
*3 The gu is the quintessential vessel type in Shang ritual paraphernalia, and
A BRONZE RITUAL WINE VESSEL, GU together with a jue or jiao it forms the basic wine vessel set for aristocrats
SHANG DYNASTY (1600-1100 BC) to perform rites. The higher the rank of the aristocrat, the greater number of
gu-jue/jiao vessel sets. Gu were one of the most important vessels used in
The trumpet-form neck is cast with four leiwen-flled blades rising from a band
Shang ritual practices, attested to by the inclusion of ffty-three in the tomb
of S-shaped serpents. The middle section and spreading foot are cast in high
relief with the disconnected parts of a taotie mask reserved on a fne leiwen of Fu Hao. The present gu is associated with the 'mature' style of gu from
ground divided by notched fanges, either side of a band of kui dragons. A two- 13th to 11th century BC, which all exhibit the same distinctive structure and
character clan mark, zi mi, is cast inside the foot. The bronze has a mottled the same decorative format of motifs.
milky-green patina.
12¿ in. (30.7 cm.) high
商 青銅觚
£8,000-12,000 US$11,000-15,000
€9,100-14,000 來源:
巴黎古董商盧芹齋(1880-1957)(傳)
PROVENANCE:
With C.T. Loo, Paris, by repute 歐洲重要私人珍藏，於1998年前所購
Private European Collection, acquired prior to 1998.

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10 In addition to the hammer price, a Buyer’s Premium (plus VAT) is payable. Other taxes and/or an Artist Resale Royalty
fee are also payable if the lot has a tax or λ symbol. Check Section D of the Conditions of Sale at the back of this catalogue.