An archaic bronze ritual food vessel (Gui)Early - middle Western Zhou dynasty西周初至中期 青銅乳釘獸面紋簋Width 11⅝ in., 29.6 cmIn overall good condition. The rim with a crescent-shaped section off in two pieces and restored. The foot rim with a restored crescent-shaped section and a restored crack. Some expected wear and minor casting imperfections. X-Ray images available upon request.整體品相良好。口沿見一處半月形磕損經修。足沿見一道裂紋經修，另見一處半月形磕損經修。見些許正常磨損及輕微鑄造瑕疵。X光片可供索取。For more information on and additional videos for this lot, please contact serina.wei@sothebys.comIn 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.Eskenazi Ltd., London, 1984. Collection of Arthur M. Sackler (1913-1987).Collection of Else Sackler (1913-2000).Distinguished Private Collection.Christie's New York, 16th March 2017, lot 1008.埃斯卡納齊，倫敦，1984年 亞瑟•M•賽克勒 (1913-1987) 收藏 艾爾•斯賽克勒 (1913-2000) 收藏 重要私人收藏 紐約佳士得2017年3月16日，編號1008This vessel is striking for its robust form and well-defined diamond pattern. It represents a group of archaic bronze ritual vessels that were produced throughout the early and middle Western Zhou period. Vessels of this type are discussed by Jessica Rawson in Western Zhou Ritual Bronzes from the Arthur M. Sackler Collections, vol. IIB, Washington D.C., 1990, pp 370-378, who notes that this design was inherited from the late Shang period and appears to have been very popular in Shaanxi province, where a large number of these vessels were excavated.The present gui, however, has a more distinct design, with the elaborate combination of raised motifs and the absence of any ground pattern. Very few bronze gui of this type are recorded. See a closely related gui, excavated from a Western Zhou tomb in Pudu village, Xi'an, Shaanxi province, published in Shi Xingbang, 'Changan puducun xizhou muzang fajueji [Records of the excavation of the Western Zhou tomb in Pudu village, Chang'an district]', Kaogu xuebao / Acta Archaeologica Sinica, no. 2, Beijing, 1954, p. 10. This gui was discussed by Zhu Fenghan, who suggests it can be attributed to the early phase of the middle Western Zhou dynasty (see Zhongguo qingtongqi zonglun / A Comprehensive Survey of Chinese Bronzes, vol. I, Shanghai, 2009, p. 127 and fig. 3.17.7 for a line drawing).Compare also a bronze gui of this type from the collection of Dr. R. Weismann and the Oeder Collection, sold in our London rooms, 19th June 1984, lot 12, now in the Meiyintang Collection, published in Wang Tao, Chinese Bronzes from the Meiyintang Collection, London, 2009, pl. 98; another from Madame Wannieck, included in the exhibition International Exhibition of Chinese Art, Royal Academy of Arts, London, 1935, cat. no. 214; and a further example, illustrated in Rong Geng, Shangzhou yiqi tongkao / The Bronzes of Shang and Chou, vol. II, Beiping, 1941, pl. 215.