Lot 193. A fine archaic bronze ritual wine vessel, jue, Late dynasty (1600-1100 BC); 19.5cm high. Estimate HK$300,000 - 400,000. Sold for HK$ 375,000 (€ 44,483). Photo: Bonhams.

Raised on three blade-shaped feet, the exterior finely cast in low relief on each side with a taotie mask divided by low vertical flanges, with a pictogram cast beneath the curved handle, surmounted by a pair of capped posts with whorl motifs between the spout and tip, the vessel encrusted overall with an attractive rich verdigris. 

Note: A bronze jue, 12th-11th century BC, of similar form and decoration is illustrated by Robert Bagley, Shang Ritual Bronzes in the Arthur M. Sackler Collection, Washington, 1987, p.195, pl.18 and p.251, fig.36.2. For another example dated to the late Shang Dynasty, see Zhongguo qing tong qitu ji, Beijing, 2005, p.125.

An archaic jue of similar form and date formerly in the Sze Yuan Tang collection, was sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 24 November 2013, lot 451.

Bonhams. FINE CHINESE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART, Hong Kong, Admiralty, 26 May 2014