A HIGHLY IMPORTANT CHINESE ARCHAISTIC BRONZE WINE VESSEL LEIThe heavily cast vessel is raised on a spreading, molded foot. The body is decorated with a band of pendant blades enclosing pairs of confronted dragons, and the shoulder is decorated with a band of flower-like motifs with central 'eyes' alternating with whorl bosses, interrupted by a pair of bovine-mask-surmounted, D-shaped handles that suspend loose rings, below a band of wave patterns around the neck. The bronze has a blackish patina with small areas of malachite and cuprite encrustation.Dimension: L. 38 cm. W. 26 cm. H. 57 cm. Weight 18690 grams.