Lot 468. An inscribed archaic bronze tripod incense burner and cover, ding, Eastern Zhou dynasty; 26.7cm high. Estimate HK$400,000 - 600,000. Sold for HK$ 812,500 (€ 96,849). Courtesy Bonhams

Raised on three feet issuing from three taotie masks in relief, the deep spherical body decorated with two bands of densely entwined archaistic kui dragons, flanked at the shoulders with a pair of right-angled 'U'-shaped upright handles, surmounted at the top with a gently domed cover issuing three mythical beast finials with looped handles, the centre further cast with a ringed handle, the underside of the cover cast with a series of twelve-character zhuanshu inscription arranged in a circle.

Note: See a very similar excavated example dating to the late Spring and Autumn period, showing almost identical elongated tripod feet and handles, unearthed in Shaanxi Province in September 1977, in the Fengxiang Cultural Palace, Shaanxi Province, illustrated in Zhongguo Qingtongqi Quanji 11. Eastern Zhou 5, Beijing, 1997, pp.6-7, no.6 & 7.