Early Western Zhou Dynasty Bronze Gui with Stud‑and‑Diamond‑Pattern Decoration

拍品描述

Condition & Provenance: Complete original set including vessel and cover. Both animal‑form handles with hanging tabs and foot ring are intact.Distinct mold‑casting marks are preserved, including original grid casting pattern on base. Thick, stable multi‑layer natural blue‑green patina deeply embedded into bronze surface. Ornamentation on lid, body, neck and foot ring is well‑preserved. Minor earthen encrustation and soil erosion present; no cracks, losses, repairs or replaced components. Excavated early 20th century, important overseas private collection, passed down within one family, never appeared at public auction.Description: This bronze gui is an important ritual food vessel of the Early Western Zhou, used for grain offerings in sacrificial ceremonies and feasts. It comes with a fitted domed cover topped by a flared knob for handling. The vessel features flared mouth, swelling belly and tall ring foot. Two beast‑head handles with pendant tabs extend from either side of the body. Both lid and belly are dominated by raised studs set within diamond‑grid lei‑wen ground. A continuous frieze of kui‑dragon motifs encircles the neck, while archaic scroll‑mask patterns decorate the ring foot. Ornamentation is sharply cast with clear hierarchical composition. The grid‑mold impression on the base offers direct evidence of early Western Zhou bronze casting technology. Robust and well‑proportioned form, rich layered ancient patina, preserved as a complete set, a fine representative example of Early Western Zhou ritual bronze food vessel.

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