An archaic bronze ritual tripod wine vessel (jue) Late Shang dynasty, 13th / 12th Century BC

the deep U-shaped body supported on three tall blade feet, with two mushroom-cap finials flanking the curving spout opposite the triangular projecting rim, cast with rising blade-lappets above taotie masks, reserved on a leiwen ground and divided by low notched flanges, one side cast with a pictogram behind loop handle issuing from a bovine-mask, wood stand (2)

Jue of this type were discovered in the lavishly furnished royal tomb of King Wu Ding (1324-1265 BC), and are illustrated in Tomb of Lady Hao at Yinxu in Anyang, Beijing, 1980, pl. 58.  A related jue is also illustrated in Robert W. Bagley, Shang Ritual Bronzes in the Arthur M. Sackler Collections, Washington D.C., 1987, no. 13; and another very close example in Zhongguo qingtonqi quanji, vol. 3, Beijing, 1997, pl. 26.  Compare also a similar example sold in these rooms, 22nd September 2004, lot 101; and another on 31st March 2005, lot 149.