A RARE BONE CEREMONIAL SPATULA SHANG DYNASTY |

the elongated shaft with a waisted outline accentuated with flaring upper and lower edges, the convex side divided into four registers enclosing taotie masks above a pendent cicada blade border, the carved design extending onto the gently concave reverse, traces of red pigment

Collection of Raymond A. Bidwell (1876-1954).
Collection of the Springfield Museums, Springfield, Massachusetts, accessioned in 1962.
Christie's New York, 21st/22nd March 2013, lot 1156 (part lot).

The Arts of China: A Retrospective, C.W. Post Center, Long Island University, Greenvale, New York,  1977, p. 22, no. 10.

The Raymond A. Bidwell Collection of Chinese Bronzes and Ceramics, Museum of Fine Arts, Springfield, Massachusetts, 1965, pp. 30-31.

There are two areas of loss as visible in the catalogue illustration, one to the flared end and the other along the edge, some minute nibbling along the extremities elsewhere. There are restored breaks across the middle of the shaft and at one corner of the other end, with associated overpainting.
"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."

For other examples of rare Shang bone carvings with similar taotie decoration, see two fragments from the collection of Edward T. Chow, sold in these rooms, 24th November 2014, lot 1234, and included in the exhibition Early Chinese art from private collections, Eskenazi Ltd., London, 2016, cat. no. 2.