AN ARCHAIC BRONZE RITUAL WINE VESSEL (ZUN) EARLY TO MID WESTERN ZHOU DYNASTY, 11TH / 10TH CENTURY BC

of elegant pear shape, supported on a high splayed foot, the body entirely undecorated except for two small animal heads in high relief applied to the shoulders below the wide trumpet neck, an inscription comprising twelve pictograms cast inside the bottom of the interior

Collection of Dr. Natanael Wessén, Sweden.
Sotheby & Co., London, 27th November 1973, lot 12.

Exhibition of Chinese Bronzes.: The Natanael Wessén Collection, The Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities, Stockholm, 1969.

Bernhard Karlgren, Chinese Bronzes. The Natanael Wessén Collection, Stockholm, 1969, pl. 18.

There is a 2 in. long crack issuing from a small chip to the rim and extending into the neck. There is also a horizontal stress line extending about 2 in. from one of the applied animal head masks across the waist. The vessel is slightly leaning to one side and the neck and foot are slightly warped.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The elegant form of this particular vessel is emphasized by the complete absence of any surface decoration but for the two raised animal heads. More commonly, vessels of this type were decorated with a narrow frieze cast around the vessel's waist. For related examples, see Jessica Rawson, Western Zhou Ritual Bronzes from the Arthur M. Sackler Collections, vol. IIB, Washington, 1990, pp. 588-590.