<em>Ritual Wine Vessel (Jue)</em>, 13th century B.C.E. Bronze, 7 1/2 x 6 1/4 in. (19.1 x 15.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Paul E. Manheim, 68.185.14. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 68.185.14_bw.jpg)

Ritual Wine Vessel (Jue), 13th century B.C.E. Bronze, 7 1/2 x 6 1/4 in. (19.1 x 15.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Paul E. Manheim, 68.185.14. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 68.185.14_bw.jpg)

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Ritual Wine Vessel (Jue)

Asian Art

On View: Asian Galleries, West, 2nd floor (China)

Ritual wine vessels of this shape (jue) are the earliest surviving form of bronzes in ancient China. They functioned as cups for drinking fermented-millet beverages in rituals to the ancestors. Such vessels from the early Erligang period are thinly cast. By the Anyang period, the bodies and legs become thicker and sturdier, as bronze casting developed. Chinese technological advances allowed the creation of elaborate ritual bronzes using piece-mold casts, which could be reused to make multiple copies. The marks from the ceramic mold for this jue can be seen down the center of each leg and along the corresponding parts of the body. The scroll lines and two protruding eyes embellishing the body show the early abstract form of the animal-mask (taotie) motif.

MEDIUM Bronze

Place Made: China

DATES 13th century B.C.E.

DYNASTY Shang Dynasty

PERIOD Anyang Period

DIMENSIONS 7 1/2 x 6 1/4 in. (19.1 x 15.9 cm) (show scale)

COLLECTIONS Asian Art

ACCESSION NUMBER 68.185.14

CREDIT LINE Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Paul E. Manheim

EXHIBITIONS

Arts of China

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Asian Galleries, West, 2nd floor (China)

CAPTION Ritual Wine Vessel (Jue), 13th century B.C.E. Bronze, 7 1/2 x 6 1/4 in. (19.1 x 15.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Paul E. Manheim, 68.185.14. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 68.185.14_bw.jpg)

IMAGE overall, 68.185.14_bw.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph

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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

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