Lot 1213. A large bronze ritual wine vessel, zun, late Shang dynasty, 12th-11th century BC; 11 3/8 in. (29 cm.) diam. Estimate USD 60,000 - USD 80,000. Price realised USD 135,750. © Christie's Images Ltd 2013

The slightly tapered cylindrical body is raised on a foot encircled by a band of double scrolls, and is flat-cast around the sides with three large taotie masks formed by pairs of confronted birds with scroll bodies between rows of quills, and with further quills below the upturned tail. Each mask is positioned below one of the three ram's- head masks cast in high relief that project from the edge of the canted shoulder and are flanked by pairs of further birds below the triple bow-string band at the base of the broad trumpet-shaped neck. The bronze has a milky green patina and areas of heavy malachite encrustation all over.