Lot 5 , A Chinese archaic bronze ritual drinking vessel and cover, Hu, Western Zhou dynasty, 11th-9th century B.C., 30cm high, faults

A Chinese archaic bronze ritual drinking vessel and cover, Hu, Western Zhou dynasty, 11th-9th century B.C., of elongated oviform, cast in relief to each side with opposing coiled phoenixes and smaller birds on a leiwen ground, cylindrical scrollwork handles to the shoulder, the cover with a band of stylised birds amid leiwen, brown patina with patches of malachite, cuprite and azurite encrustation, 30cm high, some faults
Estimate £2,500-3,500


Provenance: the estate of the late Jean-Claude Jean-Claude (1926-2016).

Jean-Claude Lepileur was a man of great learning. Born in Lisieux in France, he became a buyer and seller of antiques and formed a partnership with Mrs Senta Christian in a joint antiques venture, travelling to and from England from their early base in Deauville in Normandy. Mr Lepileur was a self-taught historian, chemist and restorer, with a particular love of all things Asian, especially pieces of art from China. And more specifically ancient Chinese bronze artefacts, which he collected avidly all his life.

Mr Lepileur and Mrs Christian moved their business to Finchley in London in the 1950s and they continued to operate as a partnership until 1996, when Mrs Christian passed away. Jean-Claude had a very discerning eye for art and at one point even managed to identify two original Rembrandt sketches for sale on a stall on Portobello Market and was able to purchase them for a few pounds. They were later fully authenticated by the Victoria and Albert Museum. Mr Lepileur was also a frequent visitor to the British Museum in those days as he was always keen to compare his latest Chinese bronze acquisitions with those in the collection of the museum. During his life he amassed a collection of some eighty bronzes and a number of ceramics, pictures and scrolls. He also collected over 60 reference books, many of them very detailed, which he used to assist him with his research. Mr Lepileur was still buying and selling up until his death in December last year, aged 90.

The collection is presented complete, with no omissions and is a great tribute to his skill in identifying, researching and collecting some wonderful pieces of Chinese art.

There is heavy encrustation to the interior of the vessel and cover. A section of the neck of the vessel is broken and slots into position. On the opposing side there is a lump of old solder on the interior to an old crack. The neck has probably been reduced in height slightly.


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 £16,000