A BRONZE TRIPOD WINE VESSEL (JIA) LATE SHANG/EARLY WESTERN ZHOU, 12TH-11TH CENTURY BC

the tri-lobed body resting on three columnar legs, simply decorated with double bow-string bands framing each section, further decorated by a single bow-string band around the base of the trumpet-shaped neck interrupted by a loop handle issuing from a bovine head, a three-character inscription cast on the body underneath the loop, the first a pictogram, followed by Fu Yi (Father Yi), the dark silvery-green patina with some encrustation

Collection of Horatio Seymour Rubens prior to 1950.
An old Japanese collection before the 1970s and thence by descent.

Chen Mengjia, In Shu seidoki bunrui zuroku (A Corpus of Chinese Bronzes in American Collections), Tokyo, 1977, no. A323.
Yan Yiping, Jinwen Zongji, Taipei, 1983, no. 4313.
Institute of Archeology, Chinese Academy of Social Science, Yinzhou jinwen jicheng, 1984, no. 9206.
Wu Zhenfeng, Shangzhou qingtongqi mingwen ji tuxiang jicheng (Compendium of Shang and Zhou Bronze Inscriptions and Images), Shanghai, 2012, p. 131, no. 11032.

Under x ray examination there are several cracks on the neck; otherwise the piece is in overall good condition. There are three chaplets to the base.
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 present jia vessel is quite unusual in that the umbrella-shaped posts are absent from its rim. The inscription underneath the loop handle comprises one clan sign and two characters 'father yi'. A very similar jia vessel was sold at Christie's New York, 22nd March 2007, lot. 241. Another similar bronze jia vessel unearthed from Guojiazhuang village, Anyang city, Henan province is illustrated in Yinxu xinchutu qingtongqi (Ritual Bronzes Recently Excavated in Yinxu), Kunming, 2008, p. 266, no. 133.