Lot 283 , A Chinese archaic bronze ritual vessel, gui, Western Zhou dynasty, 11th/10th century BC, width 25.5cm

A Chinese archaic bronze ritual vessel, gui, Western Zhou dynasty, 11th/10th century BC, cast in relief with a band of leiwen with central masks and applied with a pair of zoomorphic handles, on a circular foot, the olive-brown patina with malachite and cuprite encrustation, label for John Sparkes Ltd, Mount Street, London, width 25.5cm
Estimate £4,000-6,000


Provenance: THE COLLECTION OF CEDRIC AND LOUISE BLAKER.
Born in Sussex, England, Cedric Blaker (1886-1964) travelled to Shanghai in 1910 before permanently moving to Hong Kong in 1911, where he purchased
Gilman's Trading Company. He was interned at Hong Kong's Port Stanley Prisoner of War Camp during World War 2, and was later appointed non-executive Chairman of The Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking
Corporation (1955-1958). Blaker amassed his fine collection of Chinese works of art with the help of his wife, Louise.

A section of the rim measuring approx 10cm across and with a maximum depth of 2cm has been broken and expertly restored with cleverly matched patina around the area, the foot is a little undulating when viewed sideways on but there are no obvious dents and there is still some earth encrusted around the inside of the foot along with healthy encrusted patina, the Kohn Sparkes Ltd label is authentic and it is believed the family either purchased the vessel from John Sparkes Ltd or had it offered by them for sale on their behalf.
Generally in reasonable condition for an object of this age with a pleasing patina.
Thickness of metal on rim and foot is approx 3mm. Weighs 1.63kg


Descriptions provided in both printed and on-line catalogue formats do not include condition reports. The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Interested bidders are strongly encouraged to request a condition report on any lots upon which they intend to bid, prior to placing a bid. All transactions are governed by Gorringes Conditions of Sale.

Sold for £4,400