Lot 1504. A rare and finely cast bronze ritual wine vessel, zhi, late Shang dynasty, 12th-11th century BC, 4 3/8 in. (11.2 cm.) high.Estimate USD 100,000 - USD 150,000. Price realised USD 290,500. © Christie's Images Ltd 2012 

Of broad pear shape and oval section, each side cast with a taotiemask separated and divided by a notched flange that continues up into the upper band of birds with backward-turned heads and curled tails below a band of triangular blades filled with simplified invertedtaotie masks, the slightly flared foot with a scroll band interrupted by hooked flanges, with mottled green patina and some malachite encrustation, wood stand. 

Provenance: Mathias Komor, New York, 1957. 

Note: A zhi and cover with similar notched flanges and with similar bands of decoration is illustrated by R.L. d'Argencé, Bronze Vessels of Ancient China in the Avery Brundage Collection, San Francisco, 1977, p. 55, pl. XIX (lower left).