A rare small bronze archaic food vessel Ding, spring and autumn period (770-476 B.C.) of compressed globular form, the deep rounded sides cast with two bands of twisted ropes, divided by a raised fillet and set at the rim with two loop handles, all supported on three mask-headed waisted legs, the low domed cover cast with two similar bands, and encircled by three evenly spaced recumbent buffaloes, the patina of greenish tone, 11.2 cm high. Provenance: Purchased from Beijing in the early 90s.