Page 22 - Ancient Chinese Bronzes, 2011, J.J. Lally, New York

7. A n A r c h a i c B r o n z e R i t u a l C o v e r e d T r i p o d W i n e Ve s s e l ( H E )
Warring States Period (475–221 B.C.)

of kettle shape, the plain body of compressed spherical form with a raised angular band around the
center and resting on three cabriole legs, the short concave neck with wide everted rim, the close-
fitting domed cover joined by a chain of three loose rings to the arched swing handle with faceted
sides and terminals in the form of tiger heads each holding in its jaws a thick ring joined to a larger
loop on the shoulder of the vessel, and with a projecting spout in the form of a mythical bird emerging
at one side with wings displayed and beak wide open, the smooth surface with scattered bright
green patination and wide areas of silvery tone showing through uncorroded.
1
Height 8 ⁄4 inches (20.9 cm)
Width 8 inches (20.3 cm)

A very similar Warring States bronze covered he unearthed in 1977 at Pingshan, Hebei province and now in the collection
of the Hebei Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau is illustrated in Zhongguo qingtongqi quanji: Dong Zhou, III (Compendium of
Chinese Bronzes: Eastern Zhou, III), Vol. 9, Beijing, 1997, pl. 160, with description on p. 56.
Three similar bronze covered he unearthed in 1974–1978 at Sanjixiang, Pingshan county, Hebei province, from the tomb of
King Cuo are illustrated in the excavation report Cuo mu: Zhanguo Zhongshan guo guowang zhi mu (Tomb of Cuo: The King
of the Zhongshan State in the Warring States Period), Vol.s I–II, Beijing, 1995, as line drawings on p. 128, pl. 44 in Vol. I and
in col. pl. XI, no. 1 and pl. LXXXVI, nos. 1–3 in Vol. II.
Compare also the Warring States bronze covered he of similar form in the collection of Idemitsu Museum of Arts, illustrated
in Ancient Chinese Arts in the Idemitsu Collection, Tokyo, 1989, col. pl. 187, with description on p. 215; and a Warring States
bronze covered he of related form illustrated by Wang in Chinese Bronzes from the Meiyintang Collection, London, 2009, pp.
52–53, no. 24.

戰國 鳳首提梁銅盉 高 20.9 厘米 寬 20.3 厘米