Ritual wine warmer with taotie

In cross section the body of the jue is a pointed oval, with the pointed ends corresponding with the positions of the extended pouring spout and lip. Judging from the conformation of the vessel, the pottery piece mold assemblege during casting would have joined along the lines established by the pointed edges. The joining of the molds is clearly visible on the flat base of the vessel and along the edges of the three, thin triangular legs. Two simple posts on the rim at the base of the spout are triangular in section. It is possible that the posts may have originated in some sequence in the development of the casting process. A simple curved handle projects from one side of the jue, being centered over the leg; here again, there are visible indications of the piece mold assembly. Although this jue would have been cast in a single pour of metal, the rim has a thicker band along the upper portion. It has been suggested, although there is as yet no archaeological confirmation of that suggestion, that this feature may reflect an earlier, sheet metal tradition in which vessels would have been hammered into shape rather than cast. A horizontal band of decoration in raised thread relief embellishes the constricted waist of the vessel; the only break in the decoration occurring in the portion beneath the handle, where the piece mold asembly would have prevented it. The dominant elements of the band of decoration are the two oval, projecting eyes, which are surrounded by symmetrical raised lines. This is an early example of the taotie (^c^), or monster mask, that was to become so important a part of Shang dynasty bronze decoration.

There are some losses at either end of the lip of the jue, as well as along the edges of that lip. In addition, there are repairs on the leg beneath the handle. An old, i.e., Shang dynasty, cast-in repair is visible on the lower portion of the side of the vessel without a handle.