Jue (Chueh) (Ritual Wine Vessel)

“The principal affairs of the state are sacrifices and military actions.” This declaration from bronze-age China accounts for the extensive and exclusive use of bronze in the manufacturing of ritual paraphernalia and weapons, many of which have intricate decorations cast into their surfaces. Here, a maze-like monstrous animal motif (in Chinese, taotie) cuts across the now crusty patina of a heavily oxidized vessel called a jue. While this tripod ceremonial bronze featuring an open spout was likely used to heat wine for use in rites honoring ancestors, scholars still debate the meaning of the fantastic heads, claws, and horns forming the low relief frieze encircling the surface of its bowl. What do you think future archaeologists can learn about you from the drinking vessels you use?