c. 1045 - 771 BC. Western Zhou Dynasty. A ritual cooking vessel (ding) with a globular body, tripod legs and a pair of upright handles. The deep bowl is raised on three slender cylindrical legs decorated in relief, a pair of inverted U-shaped handles rise from the rim. 'Ding' vessels are one of the most important shapes used in Chinese ritual bronzes, commonly used for cooking, storage, and ritual offerings to the gods or to ancestors. Incorporating techniques from its Shang predecessors, the Western Zhou dynasty culminated with the prior as the Chinese Bronze Age and established a tremendous material culture of bronze works from 2,000 to 771 BCE. The most commonly produced bronzes during the Western Zhou dynasty came in the form of vessels, although other objects included grandiose chariot decorations and fierce weaponry. Very good condition In order to confirm its authenticity, this piece has undergone X-Ray Fluorescence analysis. The samples collected show the chemical composition to reflect the typical metal contents of the described period, whilst also showing no modern trace elements in the patina. Very good condition, possible repairs. Provenance: From the collection of a London doctor; previously in a Somerset private collection; acquired from a UK estate collection formed in the 1980s. Size: L:190mm / W:180mm ; 1.4kg