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Qing Dynasty, or earlier
Finely cast of globular form standing on three tubular legs, the flat galleried rim with two upright loop handles, the body crisply cast with a powerful taotie mask, with raised flanges, the interior cast with an inscription reading da zuo gu bao zun yi (大作姑寶尊彝), 'a precious revered ritual vessel made for Gu', wood stand.
27.4cm (10 7/8in) high. (2).
Footnotes
清或更早 銅三足鼎
Provenance: Lt. Colonel Athol Rowe (1911-1986) and Mrs Jill Rowe (1934-2025) Collection, Surrey, and thence by descent; acquired in Hong Kong, listed in collector's notes circa 1960; and Christie's insurance valuation, 1971, p.6.
After leaving the Army in 1959 Lt Colonel Rowe joined the Corps of Queen's Messengers. In the days of no internet, combined with long flights and lengthy layovers, he took up learning about the cultures and antiquities of the many countries he visited. Over the next 17 years he collected 284 pieces, including Egyptian, Near Eastern and Chinese artifacts. Following Mrs Jill Rowe's passing in 2025, these are the last pieces of their collection.
See a related archaic bronze tripod food vessel, late Shang dynasty, which was sold at Sotheby's London, 17th May 2024, lot 246. See also a similar archaic bronze tripod vessel, ding, late Shang dynasty, which was sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 30th May 2012, lot 4131.