A bronze ritual tripod vessel and cover, Ding, Late Spring and Autumn period, ca. 5th century BC | 東周 春秋 青銅交龍紋三足蓋鼎

A bronze ritual tripod vessel and cover, Ding
Late Spring and Autumn period, ca. 5th century BC
東周 春秋 青銅交龍紋三足蓋鼎

the deep rounded sides cast with two dragon bands divided by a raised fillet band of interlocking dragons divided by a raised fillet and set at the rim with a pair of large loop handles, all supported on three mask-headed waisted legs, the low-domed cover cast with three concentric low relief dragon bands centered by a loop handle with loose ring, encircled by three evenly-spaced recumbent beasts, the metal a dark steel-grey tone
2
Width 30.5 cm, 12 in.

Condition Report:
Overall light malachite and cuprite encrustation due to burial on the exterior with heavier malachite encrustation to the underside of the cover. There is a hairline crack encircling one leg where it joins the body - the leg has possibly been re-attached.