THE 'REN FEN FU JIA' ZHI: AN INSCRIBED ARCHAIC BRONZE RITUAL WINE VESSEL EARLY WESTERN ZHOU DYNASTY

of slender cylindrical form, the elongated pear-shaped body supported on a tall spreading foot and rising to a flaring mouth, the neck encircled by a double fillet, cast with a four-character pictogram within the vessel, the patina of a mottled malachite-green colour with traces of cuprite

Collection of Zou An, an important official in the early Ming dynasty.
Zhang Junheng (1872-1927), Wuxing (now Huzhou).
A private German collection, acquired in Stuttgart, 1955.
Sotheby's London, 7th December 1993, lot 8.

Luo Zhenyu, Zhensongtang jigu yiwen [Gathering of ancient writings in the Zhensongtang Studio: addendum], 1931, p. 22, pl. 2.
Wang Chen, Xu Yinwencun [Continuation of the surviving writings from the Yin dynasty], Beijing, 1935, p. 62, pl. 8.
Liu Tizhi, Xiaojiaojingge jinwen taben [Rubbings of archaic bronze inscriptions in the Xiaojiaojingge Studio], 1935, vol. 5, p. 92, pl. 3.
Luo Zhenyu, Sandai jijin wencun [Surviving writings from the Xia, Shang and Zhou dynasties], 1937, vol. 14, no. 50. pls. 2-3.
Yan Yiping, Jinwen Zongji [Corpus of bronze inscriptions], Taipei, 1983, no. 6587.
Yin Zhou jinwen jicheng [Collection of bronze inscriptions from the Shang and Zhou dynasties], Beijing, 1983-94, no. 06372.
Wu Zhenfeng, Jinwen renming huibian [Compilation of personal names on inscribed archaic bronzes], Beijing, 2006, pp. 70, 420.
'Ren Fen Fu Jia Zhi', Union Catalog of Digital Archives Taiwan, http://catalog.digitalarchives.tw/item/00/33/33/87.html, accessed on the 1st March 2016 (Rubbing in the collection of Institute of History and Philology, Academia Sinica).

The bronze vessel has not been x-rayed, but it is in overall good condition, with just what appears to be a minor 3cm area of restoration at the rim. Other faint cracks at the rim and minor bruises, especially at the foot. The inscription is preserved in unusually good condition, right at the bottom of the interior 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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Another inscribed early Western Zhou dynasty bronze zhi vessel of this distinct elongated form, the Fu Yi Zhi, was sold in our New York rooms, 18th March 2014, lot 5.