Late Shang Dynasty, 13th-12th century BC The deep rounded sides crisply cast in high relief with four large taotie masks separated by vertical notched flanges, separating confronted birds on the pedestal foot, the pairs of similar birds below the everted rim divided by small animal masks, all reserved on leiwen bands, with a mottled milky-green patina and some buff earth encrustation, the base cast with two pictograms reading Jiran 己冉. 25.5cm (10in) diam.