A RITUAL INSCRIBED BRONZE CAULDRON, DING

China, Western Zhou ...

A RITUAL INSCRIBED BRONZE CAULDRON, DING

China, Western Zhou dynasty

Supported by three tubular legs, the container slightly more rounded in the lower area, a thin horizontal relief band divides the body from the neck, two handles to the edge of the mouth.

16,5 cm high

Provenance : Fabrizio Savi collection, acquired from a private collector in Bruxelles between 1995 and 2000.

The presence of inscriptions in ritual bronzes is witnessed already in the Shang era, although they were very short texts, and it is very widespread even in the Zhou dynasty, when the number of characters increased considerably. Usually they refer to the deceased to whom the object is dedicated, but short texts can be found concerning the clan or even the type of vase in question.
Despite being undecorated, this ding is characterized by a sophisticated formal elegance and a marked balance in the overall dimensions.

* Scientific analyzes carried out on the 15thof November 1999 by the Brussels Art Laboratory. Nuclear Section. Institut Superieur Industriel de Bruxelles confirm the proposed dating.