Page 52 - Status & Ritual Chinese Archaic Bronzes

*12

A MAGNIFICENT AND IMPORTANT BRONZE RITUAL WINE VESSEL, ZUN
LATE SHANG- EARLY WESTERN ZHOU DYNASTY (12TH-10TH CENTURY BC)

晚商/西周早期 青銅饕餮紋尊

銘文: 「衛箙父辛」

The bulbous mid-section and the spreading lower body of the vase are boldly cast with taotie masks
interspersed with thick vertical fanges. Upright blades decorate the wide faring cylindrical neck, also
separated by fanges which protrude beyond the edge of the mouth rim. The interior of the base bears
a four-character inscription. The smooth dark green patina is almost black in tone, with some areas of
encrustation.

123 in. (31.2 cm.) high

£400,000-600,000 $630,000-930,000
€550,000-820,000

PROVENANCE

S. Kawai Collection, Kyoto.
Property of the Late Dr. A. F. Philips (1874-1951).
Sotheby’s, London, 30 March 1978, lot 21.
From an important private European collection.

LITERATURE

Sueji Umehara, Nihon Shucho Shina Kodo Seikwa, Selected Relics of Ancient Chinese Bronzes from
Collections in Japan, Osaka, 1960, vol. II, pl. CXXXV.
Ba Na and Zhang Guangyu, Zhong Ri Ou Mei Ao Niu Suo Jian Suo Ta Suo Mo Jinwen Huibian, 1978, Taipei,
vol. 9, no. 1408.
Zhou Fagao, San Dai JiJinwen cun bu, 1980, Taipei, no. 645.
Minao Hayashi, Studies on Yin and Zhou Bronze Decoration: A Conspectus of Yin and Zhou Bronze Vessels,
1986, Tokyo, p. 223, no.20.

50