Jia wine vessel

The profile of the body is S-shaped with the inward curvature placed close to the rim of the vessel. Dragonized t'ao-t'ieh (winged-dragon type) and rising blades with stylized cicadas decorate the neck belt. The body t'ao-t'ieh, on a ground of squared spirals, displays unusual features horns with the alternate T-shaped and straight scores usually associated with flanges, and a hybrid forehead shield with the upper part hooked and the lower half drawn as the rounded-top shield. Also to be noted is the small vertical dragon beneath the tail of the cleft t'ao-t'ieh under the handle. For a discussion of this element, see Karlgren, Number 11, Plate 14 (50.46.43). The handle, with a bovine head at the top, terminates with curved legs ending in hoofs on the sides. Underneath, in the place for an inscription, is a human figure in flat relief on a spiral ground. Patina grey-green and blue.