Lot 1131. A small bronze ritual ladle, Early Western Zhou dynasty, 11th-10th century BC; 7¾ in. (19.7 cm.) long. Estimate USD 4,000 - USD 6,000. Price realised USD 27,500. © Christie's Images Ltd 2013

The handle has a flared, curved end with median ridge and a bovine mask terminal from which issues the straight, angled mid-section, that terminates in a mask attached to the side of the deep cup. The back of the handle is inscribed with a partially illegible six-character inscription.

Provenance: Yamanaka & Co., Inc., New York, 1943.
Raymond A. Bidwell (1876-1954) Collection.
The Springfield Museums, Springfield, Massachusetts, accessioned in 1962.

Literature: Collection of Chinese and Other Far Eastern Art, Yamanaka & Co., Inc., New York, 1943, no. 147.
The Raymond A. Bidwell Collection of Chinese Bronzes and Ceramics, Museum of Fine Arts, Springfield, Massachusetts, 1965, pp. 30-31.

Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, New York, 21 - 22 March 2013