Shang DynastyThe slender vessel cast on the flaring trumpet neck with four blades of stylised cicada with double eyes forming dispersed taotie masks in raised relief on a fine leiwen ground, extending from a horizontal band of kui dragons, the central section cast with further taotie masks bisected by raised notched flanges, separated from the lower section by paired relief 'bowstring' lines, the flanges repeated on the flaring foot enhancing elaborate horizontal kui dragons with c-shaped horns, the surface displaying a brilliant emerald green patina with vivid malachite encrustations, the interior foot with two pictographs reading 'Yue fu geng'. 31cm (12 1/4in) high.