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Ritual wine vessel (Fan Ju Sheng hu)
Ritual wine vessel (Fan Ju Sheng hu)

Ritual wine vessel (Fan Ju Sheng hu)

Place of OriginChina
Dateapprox. 900-850 BCE
PeriodWestern Zhou period (approx. 1050–771 BCE)
MaterialsBronze
DimensionsH. 24 in x W. 14 1/2 in x D. 7 3/4 in, H. 61 cm x W. 36.8 cm x D. 19.7 cm
Credit LineThe Avery Brundage Collection
Object numberB60B972
DepartmentChinese Art
ClassificationsMetal Arts
On View
On view
LocationGallery 14
InscribedA five line, twenty-nine character inscription is cast inside the lid (fig. 56). It reads: On the ji mao day, the first day of the tenth month of the twenty sixth year, Fan Zhusheng cast this wedding Hu to be used as a wedding present for his eldest child, Meng Feiguai. May his sons and grandsons treasure it forever.
More Information
This type of covered vessel, with two dragon-headshaped handles that hold a ring, was used to hold wine during rituals and celebrations. The inscription cast on the interior of its lid offers valuable insights into life in central China during the Bronze Age. It commemorates the celebration of the wedding of Lady Meng, the eldest daughter of a nobleman named Fan Ju Sheng, who spent lavishly to commission this magnificent vessel. The decoration consists of three wavy bands alternating with stylized animal masks, rendered as a series of C-shaped horns and eyebrows.