A LARGE ARCHAIC BRONZE RITUAL FOOD VESSEL (DING) SHANG DYNASTY, 13TH / 12TH CENTURY BC

the deep U-shaped body cast below the everted rim and a pair of upright loop handles with a single wide register of three taotie masks bisected by flanges, and comprised of a pair of protuberant eyes and hooked ribbons cast with C-scrolls indicating horns and jaws, all above three slightly tapered legs, each with a further taotie mask with bulging eyes above three raised filets, the surface with a smooth pale gray-green patina

Sotheby & Co., London, 25th March 1975, lot 157.

The x-ray reveals a ca. 2 1/2 in. long crack with small associated areas of losses to part of the base that have been partially filled in and restored at a later stage. There is a ca. 1 1/2 in. long crack to another area of the base that has not been filled in. There are eight ca. 1 in. wide casting flaws that were filled in after casting the vessel. There are several small areas of restoration (the largest ca. 2 in. wide scattered across the body) and there is a large area of casting residue adhering to the inside of the vessel (ca. 7 in. by 2 in. and a small area of residue adhering to the base). One leg has a 1 in. long crack and split which is a casting flaw. The x-ray also reveals two pictograms cast on the inside of the vessel.
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.

Some of the largest bronze vessels of this type were excavated from the tomb of Fu Hao, royal consort of Wu Ding of the Shang dynasty, illustrated in Yinxu FuHao mu, Beijing, 1980,  p. 41, fig. 28, pl. 5. Over twenty-six vessels of this type were arranged in her tomb, illustrating the importance of this particular type among late Shang ritual bronzes.

A comparable but somewhat larger example, is illustrated in Sueji Umehara, Nihon shucho Shina kodo seikawa, vol. 3, Osaka, 1961, pl. 200. Umehara also illustrates another closely related ding in the Hakutsuru Art Museum, Kobe, ibid., pl. 199. For early Western Zhou examples, see Jessica Rawson, Western Zhou Ritual Bronzes from the Arthur M. Sackler Collections, vol. IIB, Washington, D.C., 1990, pp. 263-5, no. 13.