Bronze Tapir-Shaped zun, China, presumably Western Zhou dynasty (ca. 11th-8th century BC). Estimate 30 000 € / 39 000 €. Photo Auctionata AG

Ritual vessel cast in the shape of a tapir with two short horns standing on four straight legs - The body of the animal adorned with taotie before meander and scroll elements, flanges on the sides and small protruding tail - On the back of the figure a raised opening with oval cover with taotie decoration and a finial in the shape of a bird - The cover with inscription - The surface with green lacquer patina - Height: c. 35 cm - Weight: c. 4000 grams - Good condition consistent with age

Provenance: Property of a French noble man, in the family collection since at least 1967 (see scan in the photo gallery); here with handwritten annotation attesting that this was one of the first pieces in the collection and which was brought to Europe in the mid-19th century 

Notes: The majority of Chinese archaic bronze vessels feature geometric forms, however, some examples—exist in zoomorphic shape based on animals known in China in early times such as tapirs, rhinoceroses, water buffalo, elephants and various birds. These animal-shaped vessels usually served to hold liquids, either as containers or pouring vessels. 

Compare a very similar shaped ritual bronze vessel, which is closely related to the present ZUN, unearthed at Zhangjiapo, Shaanxi; illustrated in Watson, The Arts of China: To AD 900, Yale University Press 2000, S. 34. See also two animal-shaped ritual bronze vessels excavated in 2013 in the Shigushan Tombs of the Western Zhou Dynasty in Baoji, Shaanxi province. See Wang Kaihao, ‘History Unearthed’ in China Daily, 17/4/2014.

According to the mentioned inventory this bronze vessel is one of the earliest items in the collection. It came to Europe already in the middle of the 19th century, around 1840. The vessel was part of a larger delivery including about 70 bronzes, which all were collected directly in China (Shaanxi/Sichuan). This early delivery was commissioned by an ancestor of the family who served in the Lazarist Congregation in China and who is among one of the earliest Asian experts in the 19th century.

ZUN 

ZUN is a vessel type, which has the shape of a large, wide cup with a bulbous center part and a wide mouth and foot. In its shape the ZUN is reminiscent of a wide and smaller KU. Vessels in the form of various animal are also known as ZUN. 

AUCTIONATA AG, 10719 BERLIN. Sculptures et Bronze d'Asie provenant de la Collection D'une Noble Famille Europééenne, le 20 Juin 2015 à 18h00