A RARE BRONZE RITUAL TRIPOD POURING VESSEL AND COVER, HELATE SHANG-EARLY WESTERN ZHOU DYNASTY, 11TH CENTURY BCThe pear-shaped body is subtly lobed and cast with a double-line border above the three legs. The neck is cast with taotie masks between the top of the handle and the diagonally upright spout. The domed cover is cast below the finial with further taotie masks, and has a single link that attaches the cover to the shoulder of the vessel. The interior of the cover and vessel are both cast with an inscription. The bronze has an olive-green patina with areas of malachite encrustation.12 1⁄4 in. (31.1 cm.) high