Shang Dynasty Jue Wine Cups

A jue (Chinese: 爵; pinyin: jué) is a bronze tripod goblet or beaker used to serve or warm wine. It was used for ceremonial purposes by the Chinese of the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties. Often the jué had a handle, sometimes in the shape of a dragon. It also has two protuberances on the top of the vessel, which were probably used when lifting the vessel out of heat. The surface of jué is decorated with taotie

These cups are from burial grounds on the Zhong Bao Island which was immersed following construction of the Three Gorges Dam. To fund the local museum displaying findings from the island, local officials sell excess artifacts found on the island. To permit export of these antiques, museum officials issuer certificates of “inauthenticity” stating the pieces are less than 100 years old.