Lot 351. A bronze ritual wine vessel, gu, Shang dynasty, 13th-12th century BC; 10 5/8 in. (27.3 cm.) high. Estimate USD 30,000 - USD 50,000. Price Realized USD 32,500. © Christie's Image Ltd 2008

The flared trumpet-shaped neck with four upright blades flat cast with inverted and elongated taotie masks above a narrow scroll band, the middle section with two taotiemasks divided and separated by notched flanges repeated on the spreading foot between four dragons with large eyes shown in profile below a further scroll band, the interior of the foot cast with a graph, with mottled green patina and malachite encrustation, with some azurite encrustation inside the foot, wood box.