Chinese wine sets Ⅸ: A bronze hu and cover

Western Han Dyansty
Height: 26cm

The compressed pear-shaped body raised on a spreading pedestal foot and encircled by a double fluted band interrupted by a pair of mask handles suspending rings attached to linked chains attached at the other end to a flat curved handle incised at each terminal with a dragon head, the cover with knop finial and a pair of small loops at the rim, with soft greenish-grey patina and some green and ferrous encrustation.