An archaic bronze ritual libation vessel (Gu), Shang Dynasty (1600 BC-1046 BC).
For condition report contact specialist
Waisted form with a band of irregular leiwen formaing taotie masks divided by a flange between double bowstringsabove four assymetrical panels of leiwen each centred by a raised eye at the hollow pedestal foot. Heavy malachite encrustation. Height 24,6 cm.
Tarnished. Some restauration.
Provenance
The Oldertz Collection. Lot no 872, in the 1990's.(Chrisites) sold for 2600 pund.
The Oldertz Collection. Carl Oldertz (1924-2006), was a M.D.h.c. and a Director of a Swedish Insurance Company, Stockholm.
Carl was a passionate collector, who built his collection over the decades. In the 1970’s he started to focus his interest in objects from Asia, mainly Chinese Antiques and Works of Art. He was very much an academic collector who strived to acquire pieces from different epoques and constantly sought after more knowledge about the pieces, the techniques and their history. His broad interest in Chinese culture and history together with his curiosity led him to visit many private collections and museums around the world.
Literature
A similar gu is published in Bagley, Shang Ritual Bronzes in the Arthur M. Sackler Collections, 1987. Pl 27.