Wine Vessel
1300 BC-1100 BC (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
This bronze wine vessel is called a fangyi in Chinese. It has a lid, which shows it was used to store wine. Both the vessel and the lid carry an inscription consisting of two pictographs. These incised pictures are the clan sign of the owner of the vessel.
Metalworkers in ancient China made a great variety of food and wine containers in bronze for ritual use. Each vessel had a specific name according to its shape and function. These vessels were buried with the dead. When they were accidentally unearthed centuries later, they became treasured objects of antiquarian scholars and collectors.
Metalworkers in ancient China made a great variety of food and wine containers in bronze for ritual use. Each vessel had a specific name according to its shape and function. These vessels were buried with the dead. When they were accidentally unearthed centuries later, they became treasured objects of antiquarian scholars and collectors.
Object details
Category | |
Object type | |
Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
|
Materials and techniques | Cast bronze |
Brief description | Met, China, vess/cont/holders Met, China, vess/cont/holders |
Physical description | This bronze wine vessel is called a 'fangyi' in Chinese. It has a lid, which indicates it was used to store wine. On both the vessel and the lid is an inscription consisting of two pictographs executed in intaglio, which was the clan sign of the vessel's owner. In ancient China a great variety of food and wine containers were made in bronze for ritual use. Each vessel was given a specific name according to its shape and function. The vessels were buried with the deceased. When they were accidently unearthed centuries later they became treasured objects of antiquarian scholars and collectors. |
Dimensions |
|
Style | |
Gallery label |
|
Credit line | Purchased with Art Fund support, the Vallentin Bequest, Sir Percival David and the Universities China Committee |
Subjects depicted | |
Summary | This bronze wine vessel is called a fangyi in Chinese. It has a lid, which shows it was used to store wine. Both the vessel and the lid carry an inscription consisting of two pictographs. These incised pictures are the clan sign of the owner of the vessel. Metalworkers in ancient China made a great variety of food and wine containers in bronze for ritual use. Each vessel had a specific name according to its shape and function. These vessels were buried with the dead. When they were accidentally unearthed centuries later, they became treasured objects of antiquarian scholars and collectors. |
Collection | |
Accession number | M.185-1935 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
Record created | December 19, 2002 |
Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest