AN IMPORTANT AND VERY RARE BRONZE RITUAL WINE VESSEL AND COV...

AN IMPORTANT AND VERY RARE BRONZE RITUAL WINE VESSEL AND COVER, FANGYI
LATE SHANG DYNASTY, 11TH CENTURY BC
AN IMPORTANT AND VERY RARE BRONZE RITUAL WINE VESSEL AND COVER, FANGYI LATE SHANG DYNASTY, 11TH CENTURY BC The slightly tapering, rectangular body is cast in low, rounded relief on a plain ground on each side with a taotie mask between pairs of confronted elephants on the foot and pairs of confronted beaked dragons above, all centered on notched flanges repeated at the corners. The roof-shaped cover is cast on each facet with an inverted taotie mask divided by a flange, those on the two broad sides below a narrow band of small, confronted beaked dragons, and those on the ends below a small triangular, inverted mask, all below a faceted finial cast with masks. The same four-character inscription is cast on the bottom of the vessel and inside the cover. The patina is of dark, somewhat greenish-grey color. 8 5/8 in. (22 cm.) high