A PAIR ARCHAIC BRONZE RITUAL VESSELS & COVERS, DOU

A PAIR OF ARCHAIC BRONZE RITUAL VESSELS AND COVERS, DOU
China, Eastern Zhou Dynasty, 6th - 5th century BC. The deep rounded body supported by a stem and flared foot, flanked by two loop handles on the sides and a band of decoration along the waist, filled with small interlocked quills.

Provenance: From a New York lady collector of long standing, who purchased the present lot during the 1980s in the local market. From there to a retired New York dealer, in exchange of two Song dynasty pottery dishes. From there to Nicholas Pitcher, London.
Condition: Excellent condition with few minimal losses to inner lips and looped handles. The bronze with a dark patina and patches of malachite encrustation.

Weight: 800 grams in total
Dimensions: Length 18.5 cm each

The band on the lower section is repeated twice on the domed cover, the central flaring knob is cast on top. Note the fine relief in which the bands are executed. Similar excavated examples suggest that these vessels would have been produced and used in pairs and were also reproduced in earthenware and lacquer, after a shallow tazza form without lid. Lidded dou vessels, such as the present examples, are believed to have been introduced into the repertoire of ritual Chinese bronzes in the early Eastern Zhou period.

Auction result comparison: Compare with a single dou from the collection of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Harman Booth, Grosse Pointe, Michigan, sold at Sotheby's New York on March 18th, 2017, in Asian art, lot 1142.

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