Lot 3. An Unusual grey pottery 'Pou' vessel, Western Zhou Dynasty (circa 1046-771 BC), 10 3/8 in., 26.3 cm. Estimate 10,000 — 15,000 USD. Lot sold 9,000 USD. © Sotheby's.

the compressed globular body incised with twelve pairs of hooked leiwen reserved against an impressed vertical cord ground, below four protruding lug handles and a circle-punched band interrupted by four bosses around the broad shoulders similarly repeated around the slightly flared tall foot, the surface covered with root tracks.

Note: It is rare to find early grey pottery vessels clearly modelled after bronze vessel shapes of the period, although a grey pottery gui vessel flanked by loop handles and decorated with a single band design is illustrated in Zhongguo taoci quanji, vol. 2, Shanghai, 2000, pl. 122.  

The dating of this lot is consistent with the results of a thermoluminescence test, Oxford Authentication Ltd., no. C104y80.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art, New York, 31 mars 2005