Lot 467. An archaic bronze ritual wine vessel and cover, bianhu, Han Dynasty; 31cm (12 1/4in) wide. Estimate £2,000 - £3,000. Sold for £ 7,012 (€ 8,181). © Bonhams

Of flattened oval shape raised on a rectangular hollow base, the sides with grooved bands, and applied with a pair of taotie masks at the shoulders, each suspending loose rings, the domed cover incised with a double mask, the bronze with a mottled dark green patina.

Note: See a related example illustrated by D.Failla, Food for the Ancestors Flowers for the Gods: Transformations of Archaistic Bronzes in China and Japan, Genoa, 2017, no.7.13. See also another example illustrated by Takayasu Higuchi and Minao Hayashi, Ancient Chinese Bronzes in The Sakamoto Collection, Tokyo, 2002, nos.234–240; See also another bianhu, Western Han dynasty, illustrated by J.C.S.Lin, The Search for Immortality: Tomb Treasures of Han China, Cambridge, 2012, no.46, in the collection of Xuzhou Museum.

Bonhams. Roger Keverne Ltd Moving On (Part II), London, New Bond Street, 7 Jun 2021