Vase jia 斝, M.C. 10029, Entre -1500 et -1300

Date of production: between -1500 and -1300 type(s) of object(s): china, archaeology, beliefs - customs - cults - ceremonies, metal, metal arts name(s): religious object, vase materials and techniques: bronze, mold casting place(s) of execution/realization: henan (province), anhui (province) dimensions - artwork: height: 28. 7cm length: 16. 3cm description: of the three erligang period pieces preserved at the cernuschi museum, this one is the largest and most explicit. The shape of the jia, vases intended for heating fermented drinks, derives from ceramics from the cultures of longshan (around 2000-around 1600 bc) and erlitou (around 1700-around 1550 bc). They were widely used in the shang period but disappeared at the beginning of the western zhou dynasty, even before other beverage vessels, such as jue and gu. This imposing piece has all the characteristics of erligang period production. The slightly flared feet of triangular section support the body of the vase itself, almost cylindrical in shape, with a constricted belt and flared lip. Two well-separated decorative registers each carry three taotie masks, corresponding to three different molds. Each taotie is made up of two kui dragons facing each other on either side of a strongly marked edge. The two registers have hollow patterns while several jia from erligang have one hollow register and another with relief decorations according to the preliminary work of the sections of the mold. Among numerous comparison pieces, it is worth mentioning a jia of this type discovered in erligang itself (zhengzhou) which has the same distribution of motifs as the jia in the museum. The upper frieze is bordered by two bands made up of small circular medallions, one of the characteristics of the period. The same goes for the handle, without decoration and awkwardly placed. The fungiform tenons have an almost conical appearance, similar to those of a jia discovered at funan in anhui province. Themes / subjects / places represented: taotie, dragon acquisition method: manual donation name of donor, testator, seller: mahé, yves date of acquisition: 04–1999 institution: cernuschi museum, museum of asian arts of the city of paris inventory number: m. C. 10029. Date: Entre -1500 et -1300.