Page 119 - Deydier The_Lippens_Collection_of_Ancient_Chinese_Bronzes

卣

33 – archaic bronze wine vessel you
LATE SHANG DYNASTY
12 – 11 CENTURIES B. C.
TH
TH
H.: 16.1 CM L.: 15.5 CM

This rare wine vessel is cast in the form of two addorsed owls,
with the owls’ bodies forming the body of the vessel and their four
strong legs ending in clawed feet supporting the vessel.
The top section of the vessel’s body just below its cover is decorated
on both its sides with a double line in high relief interrupted by a tao-
tie mask in high relief. In the centre of the body, far above the owls’
legs two bosses, similar to the creatures’ eyes on the cover, are cast.
The you’s domed cover is cast in the form of conjoined owls’ heads
with a short, hooked beak at each end and two small eyes in the
round behind it. A central roof-shaped knob on the top of the cover
is decorated with inverted taotie masks.
The vessel has a pale blue-green patina with some malachite,
cuprite and azurite encrustations.
INSCRIPTION

– The same single pictograph consisting of a rectangle with paired
lines projecting from its two long sides is cast inside both the
vessel and the cover and is a clan mark

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