An archaic copper-inlaid bronze wine vessel, hu, Eastern Zhou dynasty, Warring States period 東周戰國時期 青銅嵌紅銅蟠螭紋壺

The Personal Collection of the late Sir Joseph Hotung 何鴻卿爵士私人珍藏
An archaic copper-inlaid bronze wine vessel, hu,
Eastern Zhou dynasty, Warring States period
東周戰國時期 青銅嵌紅銅蟠螭紋壺

the rounded body surmounted by a waisted neck, flanked at the shoulder with a pair of zoomorphic masks suspending loose rings, the body divided into three horizontal registers by three plain bands in low relief, each register cast with interlocking dragons in various orientations, all below a chevron band inlaid with copper sheet encircling the rim, the domed cover set with three abstract zoomorphic finials

overall h. 35.1 cm

Condition Report:
Some casting imperfections including reinforcements to two of the finials on the cover. Some minor losses to the bronze due to corrosion, particularly to the shoulder band and one mask. Typical verdigris and encrustation. X-ray images available upon request.
少許鑄造瑕疵，包括蓋頂兩處加固。頸部嵌銅局部剝落。器身因銹蝕而少許缺肉，尤見肩部環帶及一側鋪首。典型銅綠及銅鏽。X光影像可供索取。

Provenance:
Wui Po Kok Antique Co., Hong Kong, 10th June 1991.

匯寶閣古美術，香港，1991年6月10日