Description: Extremely rare if not unique, these relief carved, Post- Ming Dynasty libation vessels or jue are inspired by the ram's horn itself. Each horn shaped cup also terminates in a ram's head sculpture applied to the body of the vessel. These sculpture additions are cast of bronze solids and serve both as a highly decorative element as well as an aid to balancing the weight of the piece. Each ram's head has a well groomed beard and horns which are highly volute and fasten to the sides of the vessel. Each head is crowned by a flower, a theme which is replicated by two flanking heads near the lip of the cup. A wild eyed dragon claws his way to peer over the rim. Highly finished all-over design of vines and leaves are for the most part gilt highlighted. Signed on the base with four characters.

History: The lost-wax process allows the artisan to achieve the greatest detail in each statue or sculpture. First an exact wax model is prepared in beeswax, allowing the artisan to create very intricate details in the statue. Then the wax is covered in a thick layer of wet clay and allowed to dry very slowly. When almost completely dry the clay is baked in a brick oven. Small openings left in the clay allow the melting wax to escape - leaving behind a detailed mold in clay. The original wax statue is lost and thus the name 'lost-wax process.' Then, red-hot molten bronze is slowly poured into the mold. At least three days are required for cooling before the mold can be broken and the bronze statue removed. Because every mold is broken at the time of releasing the statue from the mold, each bronze statue created using the lost-wax process is one of a kind. Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin, typically 60% copper and 40% tin, and is generally harder and more durable than either metal by itself. For this reason, bronze has been used in casting for millennia. A work cast in bronze is sometimes referred to as a bronze. It may also refer to the color of bronze, a moderate yellowish to olive brown. Bronze sculpture should not be confused with similarly named processes - for example, those dubbed 'cold cast bronze' or 'bonded bronze', which is little more than some sort of resin with some metallic content poured into a mold and popped out. These are cheap reproductions and are not bronze at all. Many of the alloys that are described as bronze are actually brass, which is an alloy of copper and zinc. Bronze statues are often referred to as copper alloy. These may sometimes also be plated with brass or other alloy.

Provenance: N/A

Dimensions: Weight (Pounds & Ounces) = 5 | Height(in) = 8 | Width(in) = 11 | Depth(in) = 7

Size of Artwork(in): 8 x 5.5 x 3.5 each

Artist Name: Chinese

Medium: Bronze

Circa: Qing Dynasty

Gilt wear and blue/green oxides in the protected areas as well as inside the vessel's cups.