3 An archaic bronze steamer (yan ) Early Western Zhou dynasty Height: 17 1/4 in, 43.8 cm the lower section is formed as three lobes supported on slightly waisted, cylindrical legs. The lobes are each boldly cast with a taotie mask with prominent rounded rectangular eyes that are slit horizontally, buffalo horns, leaf-shaped ears, a bovine nose and fangs. The upper section is formed as a basin with sides gently flaring to an everted rim from which two upright rope-twist handles issue. A triple band of three taotie masks is cast below the rim; each mask has eyes either side of a raised flange against continuous scrolling. The interior has a hinged grating, cast with four cruciform openings through which steam could pass, that acts as the bottom of the basin. Four characters are inscribed below the rim on the interior, probably reading: The Elder had this steamer made in the gui month. The bronze bears a mellow grey patina with green and red encrustation.

For similar vessels, see Rawson, Western Zhou Ritual Bronzes from the Arthur M. Sackler Collections, Vol. IIB, no. 31, pp. 334–9; Watson, Ancient Chinese Bronzes, pl. 15b, excavated at Puducun; Kao, Masterworks of Chinese Bronze in the National Palace Museum, Supplement, no. 3; Chen et al, Rites et festins de la Chine antique: Bronzes du musée de Shanghai, no. 27, p. 116; and d’Argencé, Bronze Vessels of Ancient China in the Avery Brundage Collection, pl. XXVII.