China, probably late Shang dynasty, ca. 1200-1100... Lot 23

China, probably late Shang dynasty, ca. 1200-1100 BC or laterH. 19,3 cmCast in two parts with thin azurite and malachite patina, the lid in anthropomorphic form of a face with broad nose, bulging lips, wrinkled forehead and large wide open eyes, at the temples with bottle-shaped horns. The body with relief decoration of a serpentine tail wrapping around the wall, on the side of the sloping spout with 'kui' dragon, on the sides with ram's head shaped eyelets, their openings continuing into the ears of the lid and presumably used to attach a rope.From the Zeileis Collection, collected in the 1980s and 90sThis object form is exceedingly rare. Currently, only one comparative piece is known, which is very similar to the one offered here, except for slightly different dimensions. It is in the Freer Gallery of Art, Washington, located (inventory no. F1942.1a-b), publ. in Pope, Gettens et al.: The Freer Gallery Bronzes, Vol. I, Wachington, 1967, plate 39.This piece publ. in: Friedrich Georg Zeileis, 'Von Shang bis Qing, Dreieinhalb Jahrtausende Chinesische Bronze', Gallspach, 1999, No. 28, pp. 84-89 - Rest. Best. under the right eye of the lid and at the bottom of the vessel.