A MOULDED YELLOW-GLAZED ARCHAISTIC TRIPOD LIBATION CUP, JUE

18TH-19TH CENTURY

Details

A MOULDED YELLOW-GLAZED ARCHAISTIC TRIPOD LIBATION CUP, JUE
18TH-19TH CENTURY
This vessel is supported on three elegant splayed legs, and is decorated with two stylised taotie masks either side of the beast-head handles between raised bow string bands, a pair of mushroom-capped posts rising from the rim. There is a four-character archaistic seal script mark below the mouth reading Shang fu mu jue that is enclosed within a stylised geometric border.
6 7/8 in. (17 cm.) high

Provenance

Private English Collection, formerly in a private collection in France, most of which was purchased in Paris during the 1960s and 1970s, and thence by descent to the present owner.

Brought to you by

Samantha Yuen

syuen@christies.com +44 (0)20 7104 5791

Lot Essay

The form of this unusual porcelain vessel is based on an archaic bronze wine vessel, jue, used for heating and pouring wine during Shang dynasty rituals. The jue was often dedicated for temple use as an altar vessel and from the Ming dynasty porcelain jue were preferred to metal. The Ming dynasty Emperor Hongwu (1368-1398) issued an edict in 1369 designating different colours for ritual use within the palace.

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