AN IMPORTANT AND VERY RARE ARCHAIC BRONZE WINE VESSEL, YOU ...

AN IMPORTANT AND VERY RARE ARCHAIC BRONZE WINE VESSEL, YOU
LATE SHANG DYNASTY, 12TH-11TH CENTURY BC
AN IMPORTANT AND VERY RARE ARCHAIC BRONZE WINE VESSEL, YOU LATE SHANG DYNASTY, 12th-11th CENTURY BC The vessel has a broad oval-shaped body standing on a short splayed foot ring, and cast with a loose over-head arched handle terminating in bovine masks; the high domed cover is surmounted by a bud finial. It is decorated around the main body in relief with large taotie masks on the front and back against a leiwen ground. The shoulder, neck and foot are similarly decorated with bands of confronting kui dragons, and the cover with two taotie masks. The inside of cover and the interior base of vessel are cast with an inscription in intaglio . The metal has a dark silvery green patina with areas of malachite and azurite encrustations. 12 3/4 in. (32.3 cm.) high, Japanese wood box