About the Artwork
This ancient vessel, called a jue, was probably used on an ancestral altar during funerary rites and then placed in the tomb to ensure the deceased’s safe and happy passage into the spiritual realm. Occupying this jue’s major frieze is the most prevalent Shang bronze motif, the taotie (ferocious animal) mask, intended to dispel evil spirits. Above this frieze is a band of stylized cicadas, which live longer than any other insect and symbolize happiness and eternal youth.
Ritual Wine Vessel
between 1388 and 1122 BCE
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Chinese
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Copper alloy
Overall: 8 3/4 × 7 1/2 × 4 3/4 inches (22.2 × 19.1 × 12.1 cm)
Metalwork
Asian Art
City of Detroit Purchase
53.169
Public Domain
Markings
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Provenance
Henry K. Schoch;1953-present, purchase by the Detroit Institute of Arts (Detroit, Michigan, USA)
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Provenance pageExhibition History
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The exhibition history of a number of objects in our collection only begins after their acquisition by the museum, and may reflect an incomplete record.
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Suggest FeedbackPublished References
Bulletin of the DIA 34, no. 1 (1954-1955): p. 16 (ill.).
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Credit Line for Reproduction
Chinese, Ritual Wine Vessel, between 1388 and 1122 BCE, copper alloy. Detroit Institute of Arts, City of Detroit Purchase, 53.169.
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