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Wine Vessel (Jia)

c. 1700–1500 BCE
(c. 1900–1500 BCE)
bronze
Overall: 24 cm (9 7/16 in.)
John L. Severance Fund 1989.150
Location: 241A Arts of Ancient China
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Description

This wine-warming vessel, known as jia, is the earliest example of a Chinese bronze vessel in the museum collection. It reveals an already sophisticated bronze casting technology that would serve as the foundation for the later vigorous artistic developments of the Shang civilization. The use of bronze was a major turning point of the Chinese civilization. Bronze metallurgy flourished alongside other major developments in ancient China including cities, specialized craftsmanship, stratified social classes, and the invention of writing.
Wine Vessel (Jia)

Wine Vessel (Jia)

c. 1700–1500 BCE

China, probably Henan province, Erlitou culture (c. 1900–1500 BCE)

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