Lot 40
![[COLLECTION OF PROF. J. GILBERT & CORA MCALLISTER] CHINESE ARCHAISTIC RITUAL BRONZE POURING VESSELS, YI](https://media.app.artisio.co/media/104cbde6-0d38-43cb-9e0f-bb721ef57bcf/inventory/b14e4574-4e35-4491-93f1-b5ecd2fff9bf/d2e97503-1162-4cb2-b1e0-b964971220b0/0001_zBspmd_original.jpeg)
[COLLECTION OF PROF. J. GILBERT & CORA MCALLISTER] CHINESE ARCHAISTIC RITUAL BRONZE POURING VESSELS, YI
MING DYNASTY OR EARLIER
Auction: 07 November 2025 from 10:00 GMT
Description
明或更早 仿古青銅匜
after Western Zhou origins, finely cast as deep boat-shaped vessel raised on four stylised feet and with a curved U-shaped spout, cast around the body with three horizontal curving groove patterns under a wide band of abstract dragon motifs similar to key-fret motif below the rim, attached with a loop handle formed by a horned chi-dragon biting the edge, the interior of the base cast with two-character inscription in archaistic style
Dimensions
28.5cm long; 1823g
Provenance
Collection of Prof. J. Gilbert & Cora McAllister, thence by descent based in England. With collector's handwritten note and Collector's Number 55;
Formerly in the Major Curtis Quisenberry’s collection, acquired in 1950s when he was stationed in Korea.
Dr. J. Gilbert McAllister (1904–1993) was Emeritus Professor in Anthropology at the University of Texas. Primarily a cultural anthropologist, he also carried out significant archaeological research. Cora McAllister (1904-1995) graduated from the University of Texas in 1924 as a Member of Phi Beta Kappa. In 1933–1934, she and Gilbert lived amongst Kiowa-Apache Indians in Oklahoma, where Gilbert conducted field research. In 1935, Gilbert was lured back to the University of Texas, where, by 1935, he became Chairman of the department and head of a large archaeological program. There, Gilbert (or Dr. Mac as he was affectionately known by his students) made his name as an archaeological administrator and especially as a remarkable teacher for over 33 years until his retirement in 1968. In a Memorial Resolution Committee Memorandum, it is noted that he had a “massive integrity about him” and “we talk about role models these days. He was one of the good ones.”
Cora and Gilbert’s large and eclectic collection was informed by a deep love for Asian cultures and antiquities, coupled with a scholarly approach. Their collection spanned vast time periods, materials, and included cultures of China, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia and more. The collection was mostly acquired in the 1960s and 1970s, variously from Cora and Gilbert’s friends and fellow academics who made trips to Asia (some of whom were commissioned specifically by Gilbert), their usual dealers and contacts, as well as from fellow collectors.
For more information about Dr and Ms McAllister, please visit: https://shaybo-therisingtide.blogspot.com/2014/08/j-gilbert-mcallister-memorial.html?m=1
Footnote
Archaic bronze Yi was used in conjunction with Pan during the ritual ceremonies. It was a late Western Zhou adaptation of the He or Gong, and was continually used in the Eastern Zhou period.