Lot 1506. A rare bronze ritual tripod wine vessel, jue, Mid-Western Zhou dynasty, 10th-9th century BC; 7 ¾ in. (19.5 cm.) high. Estimate USD 30,000 - USD 50,000. Price realised USD 81,250. © Christie's Images Ltd 2020.

The vessel is raised on three blade-shaped legs and is cast with a band of whorl roundels and leiwen. An inscription reading fu gui (Father Gui) is cast on one of the posts that rise from the rim.

Provenance: Acquired in Hong Kong, 1992.

Note: The rare decoration of whorl roundels on a leiwen band that decorates this jue can also be seen on a jue in the Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities illustrated by Bernhard Karlgren, "Some Characteristics of the Yin Art," BMFEA, No. 43, Stockholm, 1962, Pl. 63 a. Referring to this rare decorative band, the author notes on p. 26 that, to his knowledge, "this speciman is 'unique.' "

Christie's. Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, 25 September 2020, New York