青铜兽面纹方鼎
青铜鼎历来为国宝重器，其中青铜方鼎唯有祭祀功能，典型礼器，更加珍贵。此方鼎立耳，折沿，下有四足，兽面纹上角内卷其中有夔龙纹外卷组合，此种样式非常罕见。年代特征为西周时期，皮壳锈色自然，范铸工艺特征典型，保存品相完好，系一件非常难得之瑰宝重器，收藏价值极高！
RECTANGULAR BRONZE DING WITH ANIMAL MASK MOTIF
Chineseancient bronze Dings (vessels for cooking and holding meat) are regarded asimportant treasures. Among the different designs of bronze Dings, rectangularDings such as this piece, are used mainly for ceremonial purposes. They arepart of the important group of ancient Chinese bronzes called “ritual vessels –Li Qi”.
Thisrectangular Ding has two lifting lugs, thick lip and is mounted on fourcolumnar feet cast with animal masks in high relief.
Theinward-bending large horns of the animal mask motif flanked by two kui dragonsis most rare and unique. The motif design and the classical casting techniqueused give conclusive evidences the Ding is of the Western Zhou period (11th-10thcentury BC).
Thealtered hard brown black surface layers are naturally formed over the centuriesand the preservation condition is superb.
Thisis an important piece of ancient Ding and its value is extremely high to saythe least.