An inlaid bronze ding Warring states/Western Han Raised on three shaped legs, the low set body cast with a horizonal flange separating a row of pendant volutes and a band of tridents and c-commas inlaid in gold wire and set off by squared upright handles under a domed cover repeating the central band, at the rim and under three rings, the surface covered with earthen encrustations. 5 1/4in (13.4cm) high; 5 7/8in (15.2cm) across handle Provenance Provenance Acquired in the later 1990's, per inventory, ex. Winters collection Property from the estate of Howard Longyear Palmer (1921-2020), Michigan and California Howard grew up in Gross Pointe Michigan. He attended St. Paul's Boarding School and then Harvard University. He graduated early with honors with a degree in history; and joined the Navy as an officer for WW2. He returned to the Navy as a Mustang, serving in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. With the Navy he traveled to 33 countries and became fluent in multiple languages. After 27 years as a Naval Lieutenant Commander in San Diego, Ca. he retired, returned to university, earned a Masters' Degree in History, and became a College Professor. He had a daughter at age 50, raising her alone from age 5 on when her mother, his wife, passed away. He touched many lives through his leadership, wisdom, kindness, generosity, and quiet sense of humor. Howard was captivated by numismatics, history, gardening, carpentry, and Asian art. He studied and collected historical items passionately and kept annotated notes on each piece he owned.