Lot 15. An archaic bronze ritual food vessel and cover, ding, Warring States period (B.C. 475-221), 3 in. (33 cm.) diam. wide. Estimate GBP 20,000 - GBP 30,000 (USD 25,900 - USD 38,850). Price realised GBP 25,000 (USD 32,350). © Christie's Images Ltd 2017

The circular vessel is finely cast with two angular upright handles decorated with entwined kui dragons. The body is cast with two furtherkui dragon bands, separated by a raised 'rope-twist' band, all supported on three cabriole feet. The flat cover is encircled with kui dragon bands and three applied openwork, L-shaped 'dragon' plaques, and is surmounted by a central loop handle.

Provenance: Formerly in a Private European collection amassed in the early 1990s.
Christie's London, 12 May 2012, Lot 275

Note: The dating of the current lot is consistent with the results of thermoluminescence analysis carried out by The Research Laboratory for Archaeology and the History of Art, Oxford University, no. 666y258.

Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics And Works of Art, 9 May 2017, London, King Street