Lot 155. An archaic copper-inlaid bronze wine vessel, bianhu, Eastern Zhou dynasty, Warring States period (475-221 BC); h. 31.1 cm, w. 31 cm. Lot sold: 945,000 HKD (Estimate: 200,000 - 300,000 HKD). © Sotheby's 2022

the flattened oval body raised on a spreading rectangular foot, each side crisply cast in low relief with nineteen panels arranged in five rows and divided by raised borders inlaid with copper sheet, each panel enclosing a dense pattern of interlocking dragons, the shoulder cast with six matching panels and set with animal masks suspending loose rings, the neck decorated with a chevron band inlaid with copper sheet.

Provenance: R.H. Ellsworth Ltd, New York, 2nd April 1992.

Exhibited: British Museum, London, on loan, 1992-2015.

Sotheby's. HOTUNG  The Personal Collection of the late Sir Joseph Hotung: Part 1, Hong Kong, 9 October 2022