A magnificent archaic bronze vessel from China, accompanied by a scroll from renowned collector Wu Dacheng, will sell at Sotheby's New York on March 18.
 The vessel is one of two with the same design |
The sale forms part of Asia Week New York, which will see major Asian art auctions from all the leading houses. The Ji Zu Yi Zun vessel is valued at $300,000-400,000, while the scroll is estimated to bring $100,000-150,000.
The bronze cylindrical vessel was made during the late Shang dynasty of the 13th-11th century BC and is cast with the traditional "taotie" masks commonly found on such pieces. One of two similar designs, this example was once part of Wu Dacheng's collection.
Wu Dacheng (1835-1902) was a leading official in the Qing court and renowned as a collector of archaic bronze vessels.
 Culture flourished in the Qing court, and many of its officials became China's greatest collectors, such as Wu Dacheng |
The hand scroll was commissioned by Wu Dacheng to record the contents of his collection, and contains rubbings of many of the designs featured on the vessels, as well as recording the Ji Zu Yi Zun - a remarkable piece of collecting history.
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