Lot 158. An archaic bronze ritual food vessel (gui), Early Western Zhou Dynasty, 10th century BC. Height 5 5/8 in., 14.3 cm. Estimate 80,000-120,000 USD. Lot sold 80,500 USD. Photo Sotheby's

cast with a swelling body below an everted rim with a band of archaic phoenix reserved on a leiwen ground confronting a small stylized animal mask on each side, the vessel flanked by a pair of loop handles each surmounted by a bovine mask and terminating in a hooked pendent tab, the mottled silvery-green patina with areas of malachite and azurite encrustation, wood stand, Japanese wood box (3). 

Provenance: Japanese collection formed prior to World War II.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art, New York, 11 september 2012