Wine Vessel thumbnail 1
On display

Wine Vessel

13th century BC-12th century BC (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This bronze wine jar is called a zun 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 'zun' 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: 28.7cm
Style
Gallery label
(2007)
Wine vessel (zun)
Shang dynasty
1300-1050 BC

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

Cast bronze

Museum no. M.4-1935
Credit line
Purchased with Art Fund support, the Vallentin Bequest, Sir Percival David and the Universities China Committee
Subjects depicted
Summary
This bronze wine jar is called a zun 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.4-1935

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Record createdDecember 18, 2002
Record URL
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