Discover this 3,000-Year-Old Bronze Masterpiece from the Forbidden City: The Zhou Zha Hu | Sotheby’s

Sotheby’s is honored to bring The Zhou Zha Hu-a 3,000-year-old bronze vessel and cover-to auction as a highlight of New York’s Chinese Art sale on 18 September. Join Chinese Works of Art Specialist and Senior Researcher, Hang Yin, as he explores this remarkable relic of ancient China’s rich history and craftsmanship.
Once part of the Qing imperial collection, this majestic piece was treasured by the Qianlong Emperor and housed in the Forbidden City. Its imposing design, intricate details, and deep patina reflect the ceremonial significance it held in ancient rituals, as well as the social and political prestige of its owner. The vessel’s 24-character inscription, dedicated by Zhou Zha to honor his father, provides insight into the ancestral traditions of early Chinese aristocracy.
This vessel is one of only two known examples bearing the Zhou Zha inscription, further enhancing its rarity and cultural importance. Documented in the Qing court’s renowned Xiqing gujian imperial catalogue, the Zhou Zha Hu has been studied by scholars and collectors for centuries. Its rich provenance and connection to imperial China make it a truly distinguished piece of archaic bronze, admired for both its historical value and its exquisite craftsmanship.
Sotheby's New York will hold the Chinese Art live auction on 18 September at 09:00 EDT with free public exhibition from 12-17 September.
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[@kehcat1]

That is so amazingly beautiful. Thank you for sharing this wonderful piece with us.

[@philoctetes_wordsworth]

She is magnificent. Thank you for sharing this.

[@Figueiredoartconservation]

What a magnificent peace of art

[@guldenaydin9918]

One of the “ holly grails” of the earth made by human hands..

[@mdua2374]

Please return it to the Forbidden city.

[@GreenSt1118]

The type that robs tombs, destroys civilization, and is greedy for money. Don’t ask yourself? Are all the Chinese relics scattered around the world stolen from your the Forbidden City by others digging underground passages or snatched them in broad daylight?

[@GreenSt1118]

The result of tomb robbing, destruction of civilization, and endless greed for money. Don’t ask yourself? Could it be that all the Chinese cultural relics scattered around the world were stolen from the Forbidden City by others digging underground passages? Or was it a robbery on broad daylight?

[@GreenSt1118]

The result of tomb robbing, destruction of civilization, and endless greed for money. Don’t ask yourself? Could it be that all the Chinese cultural relics scattered around the world were stolen from the Forbidden City by others digging underground passages? Or was it stolen in broad daylight?

[@GreenSt1118]

The thing that heaven and earth fear most, hate the most, and deserve to be destroyed the most is extreme shamelessness. And they are shameless that they don’t know how to measure everything they do.

[@edeag3]

I'm actually more hoping the Taiwanese government or TSMC will win and reunite the pair

[@Phlegethon]

Feels like you knicked it some time ago

[@stefaniaponitz5738]

Fascinating

[@nakedeagle3828]

So why is this even at Sotheby's? shouldn't it be in a museum in China?

[@mulemule]

*Okay. So HOW was it (most likely) used and in WHICH (most likely) ancestral ritual?*

[@sertak09]

Very beautiful ❤

[@alexshi9320]

Whoever buys this will have a target on their back. Please return it to the public, it’s what the original owner of it would want.

[@blountout6285]

national treasure for sell on auction house

[@tubelilous]

How did it get into the private hands?

[@joncan2348]

Got stolen.

[@cboy0394]

Stolen during the Opium Wars.

[@bernardkealey6449]

That was my initial thoughts too, but checked the provenance on the lot. Was catalogued in Yuhua pavilion late 19, early 20. So in this case it wasn’t looted as a result of the opium war, more likely looted domestically during civil war. Catalog notes that “The seal impression on the second rubbing (of the inscription on the cover of the present lot) is even more significant and reads Mengpo baocang (treasured collection of Mengpo). Mengpo was the studio name of Zhou Qingyun (1866-1934), a rich merchant and collector from Wuxing in Zhejiang” Analysis of the inscriptions has appeared in various catalogs and treatises since, published in both Taipei and Beijing.

[@Liukanginthehouse]

chinese cultural revolution played a huge part. communism basically called for the removal of ancient chinese history teachings, objects, buildings.

[@marcinhibner9507]

It's not in very good condition,its second to the other one that looks way better since has no damage chipped and like dented. and W's used by clan below as well.

[@coconutyummy8096]

这种商周青铜器值不值钱关键看上面有没有铭文，也就是字，有字的都他妈的老值钱了

[@Peter-f2m]

Now if only they weren’t trying to be so cool and artsy by having it all black and dark…. Turn on the lights and actually show us the piece instead of waxing poetic whilst keeping the vessel obscured.

[@SSSS-u6n]

😊

[@Fathervinyard]

victoria crosses are made from a chinese bronze cannon

[@thejeffinvade]

$10 million USD?

[@Invisableme39]

I live Chinese art because ever piece, is 200000 years old

[@averagejoeyo]

💠

[@crbe2159]

Fun fact you can’t date bronzes. The fraudsters have access to that same catalog Sotheby’s accessed. They just need to go through an intermediate dealer that “legitimizes” the fraud for sothebys. You really think the Chinese can’t forge a bronze?

[@julianaponte827]

unite the pair!!!!!! wtf sothbys...

[@duwenda]

your animation is absolutely using AI🤮🤮🤮

[@creambabyjazz]

🎃

[@averykleon]

Stolen!!!

[@redtobertshateshandles]

It's horrible. 😂 Probably the Emperors lavitory.

[@starcrib]

18TH CENTURY: STUPENDOUS ISN'T IT. 🟩🟫🟨

[@shandhyajie3853]

Pencurian artefak kuno