A Chinese bronze Gu, late Shang period (BC. 17th-11TH) cast with an extravagant mouth, ring foot and decorated with beast masks and plants, 28.5 cm high. Notes: the Gu symbolizes power and identity. Reference: for similar items see: Chinese Academy of Social Sciences Institute of Archaeology collection, Henan, Anyang city Archaeological Team collection and the Shanghai Museum collection. Provenance: A private collection, Japan.