Lot 148. An archaic bronze ritual wine vessel (jue), Late Shang Dynasty, 13th - 11th century BC. Height 8 1/8 in., 20.5 cm. Estimate 15,000 — 20,000 USD. Lot sold 15,000 USD. Photo Sotheby's

the deep body raised on three tall splayed triangular section legs, cast around the sides with stylized taotie masks with eyes raised in low relief on a leiwen ground, the spout flanked by a pair of capped finials, the side set with a loop handle issuing from a bovine mask covering a two-character inscription Fu Yi (Father Yi) with a further five-character inscription on the exterior of one of the posts and onto the body, a smooth olive-brown patina with small patches of light encrustation, wood stand (2).

Property from The Estate of Dr. and Mrs. Richard Eckhardt

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