Green patina copper alloy jue ritual fermented beverage vase, China, Shang dynasty (1600-1045 B.C.) The deep, cylindrical body of the vase flares out at the top and is fitted with two pouring spouts, one wide and tapering to a point, the other long, narrow and with raised edges, and topped by two lateral tenons ending in knobs. The underside of the spouts is decorated with a stylized triangular pattern of leiwen bands. The body is molded with taotie masks formed, on either side of notched ribs, by kui dragons surrounded by friezes of leiwen around small rectangles in relief evoking eyes. Above, triangles decorated with a leiwen frieze. One side is flanked by a semicircular handle with a bovid head, beneath which an ideogram is molded on the body. The jue rests on three triangular, blade-shaped feet. Beautiful excavation patina, green oxidation. Height: 19.5 cm; weight: 723 g Provenance : - Former Evrard de Rouvre collection (1923-1979). By descent. With the collector's handwritten card. - Sale by Me R. P. Oury, Hôtel Drouot, Paris, November 25, 1959, room 9, lot 21. Reproduced pl. I. (It states: "This beautifully crafted bronze, bears under the handle some characters signifying: intense prayers by the kneeling son at the bottom of the temple columns", and: "References: 1935 London International Exhibition catalog. Tuan Fang Collection N° 319. Hellström Collection fig. 11"). - Former Michon Collection.