A BRONZE RITUAL WINE VESSEL (JUE) LATE SHANG DYNASTY 12TH - 11TH CENTURY BC

the U-shaped body supported on three splayed triangular blade feet, crisply cast with two taotie masks with raised eyes, curling horns and clawed feet on a leiwen ground, all divided by notched flanges and below upright blades below the flared rim, a guttered spout flanked by two posts set with conical 'fire-whorl' medallions, one side set with a loop handle issuing from a bovine mask enclosing a pictogram, niao, the dark olive-brown patina with light green encrustation

Sotheby's New York, 22nd-23rd September 2004, lot 101. 

The x-ray indicates that the vessel is in overall good condition. The surface with expected wear and with small nicks along the rims and legs.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

A closely related example, dated to the 12th-11th century BC is illustrated in Robert W. Bagley, Shang Ritual Bronzes in the Arthur M. Sackler Collections, Washington DC, 1987, no. 18 where the author notes the traditional composition but cast in higher relief and against a continuous ground of leiwen spirals.

For other jue with similar bird pictograms see Wu Zhenfeng, Shang Zhou qing tong qi ming wen ji tu xiang ji cheng (A Collection of Inscriptions and Images of Shang and Zhou Archaic Bronzes), Shanghai, 2012, vol. 14, jue, nos. 06541-06546.