the slender waisted form rising from a splayed foot to a flaring mouth, the slightly bulbous midsection cast with two dissembled taotie masks set between bands of double bowstrings, above a narrow band of striding kui dragons and a further pair of abstracted taotie, the interior of the foot with three pictograms, zi grandfather gui, the bronze with a warm bronze patina and with patches of green malachite encrustration   

Japanese Private Collection.
Sotheby's London, 18th November 1998, lot 875.

Approximately one quarter of the mouth and upper neck was broken into three sections (all re-stuck) with the largest section approx. 5 x 7 cm; one of the related cracks extends further around the upper neck. Several other fine cracks are scattered around the rim. There is an ancient bronze patch to the underside of the base (original from the time of manufacture). The surface has oxidation (as illustrated) and typical flakes, pits, and minute losses. X-ray images are available upon request.
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.
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.

The present vessel features a decorative restraint and distinctive rendering of taotie with well defined, disconnected elements cast in relief; the horns over brows and oval protruding eyes set to to either side of the raised bridge of the nose leading to the  grimacing mouth, set with fangs against a plain ground. This unusual format is shared by other bronzes attributed to the late Shang dynasty.  A zun with related characteristics is illustrated in Robert W. Bagley, Shang Ritual Bronzes in the Arthur M. Sackler Collections, Washington D.C., 1987, pl. 49. In writing about the eccentric representation of the taotie,  Bagley illustrates a gu with taotie closely related to the present example (ibid, fig. 49.21) which was sold at Christie's New York, 21st September 1995, lot 294. A nearly identical vessel to the present example from the Karlbeck Collection is illustrated in Osvald Siren, Kinas Konst Under Tre Artusenden, vol. I, Stockholm, 1942, col. pl. opposite p. 38. See also a vessel of the same form and decoration sold in our London rooms, 6th April 1976, lot 4.