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16

Bronze Vessel GU, Early Shang, Erligang, 1600-1400 BC

Currency:EUR Category:Collectibles Start Price:4,000.00 EUR Estimated At:6,400.00 - 8,000.00 EUR
Bronze Vessel GU, Early Shang, Erligang, 1600-1400 BC
Bronze with green patina
China, early Shang Dynasty, Erligang, 1600-1400 BC
Cylindrical body with a flared trumpet mouth rim
Revolving decoration with large leiwen-border between bands with taotie masks
Above a border with three narrow ring profiles
Literature: Robert Bagley, Shang Ritual Bronzes in the Arthur M. Sackler Collections, Cambridge, Mass. 1987, Ill. 30.1, p. 232
Height: 15.5 cm
Good condition
Provenance: Private collection M.E., USA
Michael Fiorello, Philadelphia, USA

A similar piece can be found in the following literature: Robert Bagley, Shang Ritual Bronzes in the Arthur M. Sackler Collections, Cambridge, Mass. 1987, Ill. 30.1, p. 232



Condition: The bronze vessel is in good condition for its age and a striking, authentic patina. The height measures 15.5 cm.



GU

A GU is a form of Chinese ritual bronze vessel from the Shang and Zhou dynasties, used to drink wine or offer ritual libations. A GU is tall and slender with a flared base, a slim center section and a trumpet-shaped mouth that is wider than the base.



Chinese Bronzes

The Bronze Age in China began with the Shang Dynasty when elaborate objects, including many ritual vessels, were crafted. Shang bronzesmiths usually worked in foundries outside the cities to make ritual vessels, and sometimes weapons and chariot fittings. The bronze vessels were receptacles for storing or serving various solids and liquids used during sacred ceremonies. The most popular shapes include the HU, the JUE, the DING and the very rare ZHI form. It is typical of the developed Shang style that all available space is decorated, most often with stylized forms of real and imaginary animals. The most common motif is the taotie, which shows a mask with a frontal, bilaterally symmetrical design.

Provenance: Private collection M.E., USA

Michael Fiorello, Philadelphia, USA
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