Lot 14. A bronze gui, Western Zhou dynasty; 23.5cm., 9 1/4 in. Estimate 7,000 — 9,000 GBP. Lot Sold 36,050 GBP. © Sotheby's

the rounded body supported on a high foot and rising to a flared mouth, cast with a narrow triple band of leiwen centred on stylised confronting dragons forming taotie masks, the loop handles cast with swirl patterns springing from bottle horned bovine masks.

Provenance: Spink & Son, London, 1953.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art, London, 12 May 2010