AN ARCHAIC BRONZE TRIPOD KETTLE AND COVER, HE

AN ARCHAIC BRONZE TRIPOD KETTLE AND COVER, HE
Eastern Zhou dynasty/Warring States period, 475-221 B.C.
Cast with a compressed spherical body, the spout in the form of horned serpent appearing to pass through the shoulder of the kettle after emerging from the mouth of a similar serpent which forms the arched handle, the bodies of both serpents finely incised with scales, the flat-topped circular cover set with a loop finial and attached to the handle via a loop and rigid chain, all raised on three short legs emerging from the mouth of mythical beasts, the smooth polished surfaces with malachite and ferrous encrustation.
9in (22.8cm) high