Late Shang/early Western Zhou Dynasty, 12th-10th century BC The vessel with a deep U-shaped body rising to a pointed rim opposite a long channelled spout, flanked by a pair of posts capped with conical 'fire-whorl' medallions, all supported on three narrow tapered legs, the exterior intricately cast in low relief with two registers of taotie scrolls, one side set with a curved handle issuing from a bovine mask, a three-character inscription Shi Fu Gui cast beneath the handle, the surface with an overall greyish-green patina with areas of malachite encrustation. 20cm (7 7/8in) high.