What features identify a gu as an ancient Chinese bronze wine vessel?

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Chinese bronzes Bronze gu from Anyang, Henan province, China, Shang dynasty (c. 1600–1046 bce); in the William Rockhill Nelson Gallery and Mary Atkins Museum of Fine Arts, Kansas City, Mo.

The gu is identified as an ancient Chinese bronze wine vessel by its distinct, elegant silhouette, which is characterized by a tall, trumpet-shaped mouth, a restricted center section, and a slightly flared base.1

Produced during the Shang and early Zhou dynasties, the gu was primarily used for wine. Its surface was often decorated with various zoomorphic motifs, including:12

The taotie (monster mask)1
The gui (a dragonlike monster with a curled tail and gaping jaw)1
Snakes and cicadas1

While the gu is recognized for its graceful form, it is distinct from other wine containers of the period, such as the you (a covered bucket with a swing handle) or the jue (a smaller tripod beaker with a pouring spout).2