Lot 102. A pottery ritual wine vessel, fanghu, Eastern Zhou Dynasty (770-221 BC); 45cm (17 3/4in) high. Sold for HKD 82,875 (Est: HKD 80,000 - HKD 100,000). © Bonhams 2001-2022

The faceted and waisted pear-shaped body raised on a square pedestal foot encircled by a band of bosses, moulded around the body with eight panels filled with phoenix patterns divided by pointed flanges, rising to a tall square neck decorated with stylised hui dragons, each side with an applied strap handle.

Note: The shape of the present wine vessel is comparable with its contemporary bronze ritual wine vessels, see a mid Spring and Autumn period 'dragon' fanghu, illustrated in Zhongguo qingtongqi quanji, Beijing, 1998, no.23; compare also a related Warring States period painted pottery hu, but with beast handles, in the Capital Museum, Beijing, illustrated in Zhongguo taoci quanji, Shanghai, 2000, vol.2, pl.189. See a further example of a bronze hu from the Robert and Jean-Pierre Rousset collection, recently sold at Bonhams Paris, 25 October 2022, lot 8.

Bonhams. GANBEI A TOAST TO CHINESE WINE CULTURE, 30 November 2022, Hong Kong, Admiralty