AN ARCHAISTIC GILT-BRONZE RITUAL TRIPOD WINE VESSEL, JUE 18th centuryAN ARCHAISTIC GILT-BRONZE RITUAL TRIPOD WINE VESSEL, JUE18th centuryThe globular body finely chased around the exterior with a band of prunus and musk-mallow flowers, raised on three blade-like legs with a loop handle on one side, the lip with key-fret pattern curving to a small tip on one end between two posts. 9.5cm (3 3/4in) high. Please note this Lot is to be sold at No Reserve. 本拍品不設底價十八世紀 銅鎏金仿古花卉紋爵The purpose of such small, archaistic cups of ritual form was probably for the most part as decorative cabinet treasures for the scholar, to remind himself of the Confucian golden age of high antiquity; when and if they were used it was probably at wine and poetry parties. Related gilt-bronze wine vessels, 18th century, are illustrated by M.Maucuer, Bronzes de la Chine Imperiale des Song aux Qing, Paris, 2013, p.119. The decoration is also similar to that found on a wine ewer, 18th century, illustrated in China's Renaissance in Bronze: The Robert H.Clague Collection of Later Chinese Bronzes 1100-1900, Phoenix, 1993, no.28.Compare with a related gilt-bronze jue, 18th century, which was sold at Sotheby's London, 12 May 2015, lot 148.