AN ARCHAIC BRONZE RITUAL TRIPOD VESSEL AND COVER, DING

AN ARCHAIC BRONZE RITUAL TRIPOD VESSEL AND COVER, DING
Warring States period, 5th/4th century B.C.
Of compressed spherical form, the rounded sides set with opposing high relief taotie handles suspending loose rings, the three waisted short tubular legs smoothly emerging from the base, interrupting a short foot ring encircling the flat foot, the sides of the body and cover each cast with three concentric bands of lozenge motifs and angular scrolls, the fitted domed cover additionally cast with three evenly-spaced recumbent oxen decorated with stamped medallions, the surfaces with malachite and cuprite patination.
7in (17.8cm) high