Page 24 - Deydier The_Lippens_Collection_of_Ancient_Chinese_Bronzes

盉

06 – archaic bronze pouring vessel he
SHANG DYNASTY, ERLIGANG PERIOD
CIRCA 17 / 16 – 14 CENTURIES B. C.
TH
TH
TH
H.: 22.5 CM L.: 16 CM
Ritual bronze vessel he. The vessel’s lower section consists of three
bulbous cone-shaped hollow legs that extend outwards as they de-
scend. The he’s mid-section is decorated with a frieze of primitive
taotie masks cast in Loehr’s style II and is surmounted by a dome-
like rounded top from which a long cylindrical spout rises. Behind
the spout there is a large round opening through which the vessel
could be filled with liquid.
A semi-circular handle is fixed to one side of the he.
The vessel has a light green-greyish patina.

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