A BRONZE RITUAL FOOD VESSEL (DING) EARLY WESTERN ZHOU DYNASTY, 11TH-10TH CENTURY BC

the deep rounded body supported on three straight columnar legs, cast with a single frieze of five taotie masks, each centered with a pair of slit-eye bosses on a narrow vertical flange, the lipped rim set with a pair of upright handles, the silvery gray patina with some encrustation, a single pictogram cast to the interior reading ge

Acquired in New York in the 1940s and thence by descent.

Under x ray examination there is one old repair on the side; 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 single pictogram that appears on the inside wall of this vessel also appears on a large number of archaic bronze vessels and oracle bones. It can be translated as 'ge', a clan sign that depicts an axe-like weapon that was commonly used in the Shang and Zhou dynasties. A ding with a similar taotie mask band is illustrated in Jessica Rawson, Western Zhou Ritual Bronzes from the Arthur M. Sackler Collections, vol. IIB, Washington D.C., 1990, no. 13. T