Description: A pair of large archaic bronze ritual wine vessels, hu. With elegant pear-shaped bodies decorated with bands and two taotie masks holding loop handles on each side. Both vessels covered with an intens brown and green patina. Both covers crowned with three prongs in the shape of stylized birds. Exceptionally large and eye-catching pair of bronzes from the Chinese Han dynasty (206 BC-220 AD). Details vessel one: Total height: 47.3 cm. Height without lid: 38.9 cm. Height lid: 8.4 cm. Width at mouth: 14.2 cm. Widest width: 29.7 cm. Width at base: 17.4 cm. Circumference: approx. 93 cm. Weight: 6,5kg Details vessel two: Total height: 47,4 cm. Height without lid: 39 cm. Height lid: 8.4 cm. Width at mouth: 14.2 cm. Widest width: 29.6 cm. Width at base: 17.6 cm. Circumference: approx. 93 cm. Weight: 6,2kg Condition: Good, with expected surface wear. Overall strong patina. Some areas extensively eroded but intact and in good stable condition. Some irregularities at the edges due to erosion. One vessel with a six millimeter hole in the base rim. The taotie masks have been cleaned. Provenance: Property from a Dutch private collection Acquired from a private Belgian collection Acquired from an old private Belgian collection Acquired prior to 2000 Shipment: Secure professional shipment. Worldwide registered and insured transport with tracking code. Import VAT may apply to buyers outside the EU. The seller guarantees that he is entitled to ship this lot. The seller will take care that any necessary permits will be arranged. The seller will inform the buyer about this if this takes more than a few days.