Page 50 - Deydier The_Lippens_Collection_of_Ancient_Chinese_Bronzes

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13 – archaic bronze wine vessel jue
SHANG DYNASTY, ANYANG / YINXU PERIOD
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CIRCA 14 – 12 / 11 CENTURIES B. C.
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H.: 20.5 CM L.: 18.2 CM
Archaic bronze wine vessel supported on three triangular legs.
The vessel’s deep U-shaped body is intricately cast in high relief at
the central upper section of one of its sides with a large taotie mask
on a leiwen background divided into two sections by a horizontal
notched flange. The top outwardly expanding part of the vessel
is embellished with three triangular protrusions decorated with a
stylized cicada motif.
The other side of the vessel bears the same design but is embel-
lished by a semi-circular loop handle surmounted by a bovine head
in high relief.
The vessel’s long pouring spout and its opposite horn-like pointed
side are cast on their undersides with long blade-shaped designs
decorated with stylized cicada motifs.
Two upright pillars supporting mushroom-shaped whorl caps rise
from the rim of the vessel just above the area where the spout
extends from the body.
The vessel has an attractive green patina.

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