A Chinese inscribed bronze basin

A Chinese inscribed bronze basin, Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220), the basin with flared rim and cast with band of rings and a decorative pair of taotie mask handles, the interior impressed with an auspicious line fu gui chang yi hou wang, 34cm diameterA bronze vessel of this shape was used as a washing basin by a noble family during the Han Dynasty. Compared with a similar basin without inscriptions sold at Christies NY, Lot 212, 1-2 April 2009. A very similar Han basin with the same six-character auspicious line is now at the Palace Museum, Taipei (reference no. 中-銅-001511), another closely related example from the Palace Museum, Beijing (reference no. 故00077190). Provenance: Purchased by current owner between circa 1985汉 青铜富贵昌宜王侯兽耳弦纹洗拍品来源：现藏家购自上世纪八十年代Condition Report: Age-related damage, possibly restored Condition Report Disclaimer