Lot 4135. A rare archaic inscribed bronze vessel, gui, Early Western Zhou dynasty, 11th century BC, 11 in. (28 cm.) across handles. Estimate HKD 800,000 - HKD 1,200,000. Price realised HKD 1,220,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2012

The compressed globular body is flanked by a pair of C-shaped handles issuing from rams' heads, and is decorated below the everted rim with a band of taotie masks reserved on a leiwen ground which is centred on each side with an animal-mask cast in relief. The splayed foot is cast with a further band of taotie masks. The interior is cast with an inscription, X X Zuo Fu Ding Bao Gui, 'X X made this treasured Gui for Fu Ding'. 

Provenance: The collection of Rong Hou (1874-1940)
A Japanese collection, circa 1940s 

Literature: Luo Zhenyu, Sandai Jijin Wencu, 1937, 6.40.8
Wang Xiantang, Guoshi Jinshi Zhigao, 1945, p. 1538.2
Umehara Sueji, Kankaro kikkinzu, 1947, 1.21
Yan Yiping, Jinwen Zhongji, 1983, 3.2286
Institute of Archaeology CASS, Yinzhou Jinwen Jicheng, 1984, 6.03650

Christie's. Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, 30 May 2012, Hong Kong, HKCEC Grand Hall