Vase jue 爵, M.C. 10014(2), Entre -1550 et -1300

Date of production: between -1550 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) dimensions - artwork: height: 16. 7cm length: 14. 4cm description: this game allows us to evoke in a more explicit way this pivotal period in the evolution of bronze art in china. The importance given to the pouring spout, the thinness of the feet, the wide horizontal bands on the middle register drawing the mask of a taotie monster, are all characteristics of the style. The opposite face has a large handle of semi-circular section. With its slender silhouette and long, narrow, unsteady feet, the work is reminiscent of a jue preserved at the royal ontario museum in toronto. Most of the jue cups used for libations have, at the start of the spout, two small fungiform appendages, necessary according to some to suspend small sachets of condiments which flavored fermented drinks. Here a single button surmounts a sort of metal bridge. This rarity specific to the erligang era is found on a few other games from the same period. Without being exhaustive, it is appropriate to cite four comparable games. One was discovered near zhengzhou (henan), at baijiazhouang, in pit m3; another in anhui feixi; a third, kept at the royal ontario museum in toronto, which was discovered in henan, at hui xian dongshihecun. A fourth is kept at the museo nazionale d'arte orientale in rome. Themes / subjects / places represented: taotie acquisition method: manual donation name of donor, testator, seller: mahé, yves, mahé, lotus date of acquisition: 10–1998 institution: cernuschi museum, museum of asian arts of the city of paris inventory number: m. C. 10014. Date: Entre -1550 et -1300.