Lot 2015. A bronze ritual food vessel, gui, Late Shang-Early Western Zhou dynasty, circa 1200-1100 BC; 10 5/8 in. (27.3 cm.) wide with handles. Estimate USD 40,000 - USD 60,000. Price Realized USD 50,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2014. 

The bowl has an S-curved profile and is cast with a band of four pairs of dragons with linear details and a row of quills confronted on small animal masks cast in relief on two sides and on the horned animal heads that surmount the loop handles, which are cast on the sides with intaglio scrolls and have a pendent hooked tab at the bottom. The waisted, pedestal foot is encircled by a band of diagonally arranged scrolls interrupted by four evenly spaced 'eyes'. The vessel has a mottled grey patina.

Provenance: J.J. Lally & Co., New York, August 1988.

Property from the Jacob and Mary Stein Collection

Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, New York, 20 - 21 March 2014