A CHINESE BRONZE RITUAL TRIPOD FOOD VESSEL WITH WOOD COVER AND JADE FINIAL, DING, LATE SHANG DYNASTY, 12TH CENTURY BC A CHINESE BRONZE RITUAL TRIPOD FOOD VESSEL WITH WOOD COVER AND JADE FINIAL, DING, LATE SHANG DYNASTY, 12TH CENTURY BC A CHINESE BRONZE RITUAL TRIPOD FOOD VESSEL WITH WOOD COVER AND JADE FINIAL, DING, LATE SHANG DYNASTY, 12TH CENTURY BC A CHINESE BRONZE RITUAL TRIPOD FOOD VESSEL WITH WOOD COVER AND JADE FINIAL, DING, LATE SHANG DYNASTY, 12TH CENTURY BC

A CHINESE BRONZE RITUAL TRIPOD FOOD VESSEL WITH WOOD COVER AND JADE FINIAL, DING, LATE SHANG DYNASTY, 12TH CENTURY BC

Reference: ART1008170

The vessel is raised on three columnar supports and is crisply cast in relief on the sides with three taotie masks positioned between the legs, and centered on and separated by flanges.
The horns of the masks are formed by dragons, and the masks are on a leiwen ground below two bail handles that rise from the slightly inward-canted rim.
The patina is of dark grey color and there is some malachite encrustation.

Good condition

18.8 cm. height

PROVENANCE
A private collection, Switzerland