A Chinese bronze tripod ding dating from the late Shang to early Western Zhou dynasty. The tri-lobed ding features taotie mask designs on each lobe of the body. It has two vertical handles on either side of its round mouth.

Dimensions are: 11 3/4 inches tall X 9 inches in diameter, 29.8 cm X 22.9 cm. Weight: 2576 grams. All measurements are approximate.

Condition: There is age appropriate wear including significant patina to the surface.

A reminder that all lots are sold as-is. We have sought to record the changes in the condition of this piece after its initial manufacture as diligently as possible; however, as stated in our terms, condition reports are statements of opinion and not representations or warranties. Oakridge Auction Gallery bears no responsibility for any error or omission.

Provenance: From a private collector in Southern California.

Notes: This ding censer is exquisitely cast in the style of a li, a traditional bronze food vessel characterized by its three triangular feet extending from a round mouth. While the upper part of the ding is typical, with a wide opening flanked by tall, vertical handles, the lower part of the body takes after the li. The lower body splits into three lobes, which narrow into pointed, spike-like feet. The whole abdomen is decorated with taotie patterns, solemn and majestic. While the feet of this censer retain the sharpness characteristic of the Shang Dynasty, the taotie decoration is more characteristic of the early Western Zhou Dynasty. It is for this reason that this ding most likely dates from the late Shang Dynasty to the early Western Zhou Dynasty.
The overall appearance is perfect, the shape is special and rare, and the ornamentation is a collection of the inheritance characteristics of the Shang and Zhou cultures. It is a rare beauty.

Similar examples can be found in museums around the world, including one at the British Museum under accession number 1953,1214.1 and two at the National Palace Museum in Taipei under accession numbers 001427N000000000 and 001400N000000000.

High resolution photos can be found here."

清代陳昌治刻本《說文解字》：【卷三】【鬲部】鬲：鼎屬。實五觳。鬥二升曰觳。象腹交文，三足。凡鬲之屬皆從鬲。䰛，鬲或從瓦。㽁，漢令鬲從瓦歷聲。商代青銅鬲多為圓腹尖足至西周演變成圓腹柱足。西周紋飾在繼承商代的基礎上繼續發展，商代早期和西周晚期進入了紋飾發展的鼎盛期，商代的許多紋飾在西周時期仍然在使用，商代和西周早期的獸面紋及其變形紋飾仍在使用，至西周中期就開始很少使用，並且在西周時期的紋飾開始使用多紋飾並存的一種裝飾手段，使圖案變化豐富多彩，但是對稱性很強。西周時期紋飾的特點還有一點，這就是主次紋飾的應用，即在西周時期青銅器上的紋飾一般都有幾種，但只有一種紋飾是主體，其特點很明顯，一般都占據著顯著的位置，且面積很大。本爐作鬲式，盤口束頸，口沿對稱設置，圓口周正，鑄造講究。爐襠作鬲式，下承尖角三足較高且微外撇。腹部飾饕餮紋，其眉目凸起，莊嚴威武。此爐器型之三足保留了商代錐形特點，而紋飾又表現為西周早期多紋飾集合於一身的特點，故其應屬於商代晚期至西周早期作品。此爐保存完好，原生包漿完美，歷經數載歲月在密封環境下因多重天然礦物質轉化成紅、青、藍多色表殼，光澤如玉，青綠色以及紅色歲月痕跡交錯，是為自然陳化之美艷角色，為一般青銅器所不可比擬，極為自然，並且後天保存嚴謹，少有把玩，整體品相完美，造型特殊罕見，紋飾更是聚集了商周文化的傳承特點，實為不可多得之美器。 參閱大英博物館館藏，編號1953,1214.1 ；另見台北故宮博物院館藏商早期弦紋鬲，編號中銅001427N000000000(fig. 1)，及館藏商晚期獸面紋鬲，編號中銅001400N000000000(fig. 2)。参阅链接请见上方英文。"