Jar thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Jar

5th century BC (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This bronze wine jar is decorated with a knotted-rope pattern. Each compartment contains a pair of curling animals. 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

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Stand
  • Jar
Materials and techniques
Cast bronze
Brief description
2 pieces; Met, China, vess/cont/holders

Met, China, vess/cont/holders
Physical description
This bronze wine jar is decorated with a knotted-rope pattern and within each compartment is a pair of curling animals. 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
  • Height: 26.3cm
Style
Credit line
Cappel Bequest
Summary
This bronze wine jar is decorated with a knotted-rope pattern. Each compartment contains a pair of curling animals. 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.434-1936

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Record createdDecember 19, 2002
Record URL
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