Chinese Shang Stone Cong

SHANG DYNASTY, CIRCA 13TH-12TH CENTURY B.C.

3 3/4 in. (573 grams, 95 mm).

A stone ritual 'cong' artefact of cuboidal form with cylindrical socket open at both ends, raised lip to both opening, the rectangular faces decorated with four corner panels, each divided into four horizontal panels displaying geometric motifs composed of circles and horizontal bands, possibly representing figurative zoomorphic motifs.

Provenance

Acquired in Hong Kong, 1980s.
Ex Kelvin Choi's collection, circa 2009.
UK private collection.

This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11708-198350.

Literature

Cf. The Metropolitan Museum, New York, accession number 02.18.316, for a similar object.

Footnotes

The name cong is applied to a straight tube with a circular bore and square outer section. The outer faces are often decorated with masks which may be related to the taotie motifs found on bronze vessels. Its original function is unknown.

CONDITION

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LOT 0426