Mistletoe-fed ritual vase in copper alloy, late Shang - early Zhou dynasty, 11th - 10th century B.C. The hemispherical body rests on a flared foot enhanced by a molded decorative band of kui on a leiwen background on either side of two thin ridges, forming taotie masks. It is flanked by two semicircular handles in the shape of bovid heads. The bottom of the mistletoe is engraved with ideograms. The flared foot features a molded frieze in the same style as the body of the vessel, while the underside features a latticework forming squares. Beautiful excavation patina, green oxidation. Height: 12 cm; diameter: 17.5 cm; weight: 1334 g Vertical crack in the bronze at the foot. Provenance : - Former Evrard de Rouvre collection (1923-1979). By descent. With the collector's handwritten card. - Sale by Me R. P. Oury, Hôtel Drouot, November 25, 1959, room 9, lot 20.