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38 – archaic bronze wine vessel zun
LATE SHANG DYNASTY / EARLY WESTERN ZHOU DYNASTY
11 – 10 CENTURIES B. C.
TH
TH
H.: 24.5 CM

Ritual bronze vessel zun, used for holding fermented beverages.
The high narrow cylindrical vessel which bulges slightly at its centre,
has a wide flaring neck and foot.
The zun’s bulging section is decorated on each side with a large
taotie mask in high relief on a leiwen background. Each mask is
composed of two confronting kui dragons shown in profile.
The vessel has a light green patina.

INSCRIPTION

– A single pictogram cast inside the vessel reads either “Ta” or
“Tian”, probably a clan name.

PROVENANCE

– Ferris Luboshez Collection, USA, before 1977.
– Sotheby’s London, UK, 29 Mar. 1977, lot no. 170.
– Private Collection, before 1985.
– J.T. Tai Collection, New York, USA, before 1995.
– Christie’s New York, USA, 17 Sep. 2008, lot no. 226
– Alan & Simone Hartman Collection, New York, USA.
– Marcel & Chantal Gerbe Collection, Switzerland.
– Galerie Christian Deydier, Paris, France, 2012.
– Count & Countess Paul Lippens Collection, Brussels, Belgium, 2017.

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