Shang dynasty The slightly tapered cylindrical body cast between a tall trumpet neck and a flaring pedestal foot, the body and splayed foot cast with raised flanges separating and bisecting pairs of taotie masks with raised eyes against a leiwen ground, with a pair of bowstrings dividing the body from the pedestal foot, the trumpet neck encircled at the base by a band of four S-shaped serpents below four upright triangular blades enclosing raised ridges sporting hooked appendages against a leiwen ground, the greenish-brown patina with areas of encrustation, the interior of the foot cast with a three character inscription partially obscured by encrustation. 12 1/8in (31cm) high