Vessel

Yuan fang yi - square vessel with lid, for sacrificial use. Bronze. Vertical scored flanges divide the body in eight panels. The body horizontally divided by grooves in three belts- neck belt, main belt and foot belt. The main belt decorated with taotie-masks in relief against a background of "cloud and thunder" pattern (yunleiwen) - dragons form the horn of the taotie. The neck belt and foot-belt decorated with dragons in relief against a background of "cloud and thunder" pattern. The lid with scored flanges and decorated with upside-down taotie-masks against a background of "cloud and thunder" pattern. A similar fang yi excavated in Xibeigang M 1022 (Li Ji & Wan Jiabao, 1972, pl. 15)On the inside of the cover the unusual feature of a cicada in relief.Inscription on the inside of vessel and lid: Bird carrying on its head a dagger-axe; Yuan ("kite" - a clan name). Same inscription on fang lei, Staatliches Museum für Völkerkunde, Munich (cf. Li Xueqin & Sarah Allan, Ouzhou ..., no 50.)Shang, middle Anyang period.Bluish green patina.