An Archaic Bronze Ritual Tripod Wine Vessel (jia). Early Shang Dynasty, 15th-14th Century BC
An Archaic Bronze Ritual Tripod Wine Vessel (jia). Early Shang Dynasty, 15th-14th Century BC. Photo Sotheby's
supported on three hollow splayed blade legs, the rounded vessel cast in low relief with three taotie masks with raised bosses for eyes below a band of two compressed and elongated masks divided on one side by a strap handle extending from the belly to the wide everted neck, all below a pair of mushroom pointed-cap finials set upon square section posts on the rim, the gray-green patina with light encrustation, Japanese wood box (2). Height 9 1/2 in., 24 cm - ESTIMATION 150,000-200,000 USD
PROVENANCE: Old Japanese Collection.
NOTE: Among the earliest of the ritual forms, pottery examples of jia have been unearthed from Neolithic sites such as Longshan. The form retained its stature particularly during the early and middle Shang dynasty with decreasing production afterwards. It is unusual to find examples with the rounded belly and tall trumpet mouth, the rounded forms are more likely to have a short neck. The effective combination of the ovoid lower section and angular flared upper section creates a striking profile and is a rare representation of the form.
Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art, New York | 11 sept. 2012 www.sothebys.com