On display

Wine Jar

15th century BC-14th century BC (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This bronze wine jar is called a pou in Chinese. In ancient China metalworkers 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
Materials and techniques
Cast bronze
Brief description
Met, China, vess/cont/holders
Physical description
This bronze wine jar is called a 'pou' in Chinese. 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: 35cm
Style
Marks and inscriptions
? zuo fu zun ge (On inner side of base)
Gallery label
(2007)
Wine jar (weng)
Shang dynasty
1450-1350 BC

All ancient bronze vessels had a specific name. This one, from which wine would have been ladled out, is called a weng.

Cast bronze

Given from the E.A. Brooks collection
Museum no. M.1163-1926
Credit line
Bequeathed by Ernest A. Brooks
Subjects depicted
Summary
This bronze wine jar is called a pou in Chinese. In ancient China metalworkers 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.1163:1, 2-1926

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Record createdDecember 17, 2002
Record URL
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