Ancient / Ethnographic From Around the World

The Shang dynasty (c. 1600 – 1046 BCE), the second dynasty of China, brought numerous cultural advances such as the transition from stone and iron to industrialized bronze casting. The Shang dynasty also introduced bronze sacral vessels. One such vessel was the gui, a bronze ritual vessel used to relay events to ancestral spirits. A Shang Dynasty gui is highlighted in the upcoming Ancient/ Ethnographic From Around the World auction, presented by Artemis Gallery. The piece has a spherical body with vertical ribs and a pair of abstract dragon handles atop a circular foot. A removable, form-fitting lid bears a circular handle.

The auction offers over 100 lots of both fine and decorative art, jewelry, and ethnographic art. Among them is an early 20th-century Kuba wood box from central Africa. Intricately carved Kuba boxes were traditionally used for storing cherished valuables or tukula – a reddish powder used for body and hair coloring. A carved human face decorates the lid of the available box. Visit Bidsquare for more information and to register to bid.