A MAGNIFICENT AND HIGHLY IMPORTANT BRONZE RITUAL WINE VESSEL, FANGZUN

A MAGNIFICENT AND HIGHLY IMPORTANT BRONZE RITUAL WINE VESSEL, FANGZUN

LATE SHANG DYNASTY, ANYANG, 13TH-11TH CENTURY BC

The decoration on each of the four sides of the faceted vessel is arranged in horizontal registers divided by vertical notched flanges which are repeated at the corners. The main register of the tapering mid-section is cast with large taotie masks with dragon-shaped horns, each flanked by descending kui dragons on either side and below a narrow register of confronting kui dragons with elephant trunks. The high foot is similarly decorated with taotie masks below a narrow register of confronting kui dragons with hooked beaks. The canted shoulder has a band of confronting kui dragons centered by relief animal masks and separated by mythical birds crowned by monster masks with bottle horns on the corners, all below a flaring neck with a band of upright blades enclosing dispersed elements of taotie above pairs of confronting kui dragons. All of the decoration is cast in crisp relief and reserved on leiwen grounds. The surface has a smooth dark green patina with some areas of light malachite encrustation.

20 5/8 in. (52.4 cm.) high, gold and silver-inlaid wood stand, Japanese double wood box, Metal liner, inscribed with cyclical date gui hai year, corresponding to 1923