Lot 1214. A small bronze ritual wine vessel, gu, Shang dynasty, 13th century BC; 7 7/8 in. (20 cm.) high. Estimate USD 18,000 - USD 25,000. Price realised USD 43,750. © Christie's Images Ltd 2013

The trumpet-shaped neck is undecorated while the middle section, which is set between double bow-string borders, is flat-cast with taotie masks formed by pairs of downward-facing birds with prominent pupils and quills stacked below the coiled tail. Four birds of similar type, all shown facing in the same direction, fill the quadrants of the band encircling the foot. The bronze has a mottled milky-green patina and some areas of encrustation, Japanese wood box.