Lot 1221. A bronze ritual tripod wine vessel, jia, late Shang dynasty, 12th-11th century BC; 10 1/8 in. (26 cm.) high. Estimate 12,000 - USD 18,000. Price realised USD 37,500. © Christie's Images Ltd 2013

The vessel is raised on three tapering blade supports and is cast on the body and base of the flared neck with bands of taotie masks with raised eyes centered on slender flanges. A loop handle projects from one side, and a pair of capped posts cast with comma motifs rise from the rim. The bronze has a greyish-green patina with malachite, ferrous and some azurite encrustation.

Provenance: Joseph J. Schedel Collection, United States.
Offered at Christie's New York, 2 December 1989, lot 29.

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