36.5 cm.（14 3⁄8 in.）high

Literature：
Eskenazi，Ancient Chinese Bronzes，Gilt-Bronzes and Early Ceramics，London，1973，p. 25，no. 8
Eskenazi，Ancient Chinese Bronzes from anEnglish Private Collection，London，1999，p.28，no. 10
Provenance：
Kunsthaus Lempertz，Koln，7/8
December 1972，no. 482
Eskenazi Ltd.，London，1973
Private Collection，London
Eskenazi Ltd.，London，1999
Acquired by the present owner from
the above in 1999

The deep bell-shaped upper section cast in relief with a band of three taotiemasks below a flared rim with twin loop handles，the lower section is composedof three large bovine masks descending into flared columnar supports，a hingedgrate separates the upper and lower sections with cross-shaped aperturesto allow the steam through，the interior of the rim cast with a six-characterinscription，‘Bo Tuan（？）zhou bao lu yan’.
Similar steamers of this form include and example in the Idemitsu Museum，Tokyo，illustrated in Ancient Chinese Arts in the Idemitsu Collection，Tokyo，1989，pl.13；another illustrated in Zhongguo Qingtongqi Quanji，Vol. 5，Xi Zhou（1），Beijing，1996，p. 43，no. 46. Two examples sold at Christie's New York include one fromthe Arthur M. Sackler Collections，24/25th March 2010，lot 1007，and another13/14th September 2012，lot 1221.

Price estimate:
無底價
To be sold without reserve

Auction Result:
HKD: 413,000