Artwork Page for Wine Vessel (Hu)

Details / Information for Wine Vessel (Hu)

Wine Vessel (Hu)

壺

c. 1000–900 BCE

China, Western Zhou dynasty

(c. 1046–771 BCE)
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Medium
bronze
Measurements
Overall: 46.1 cm (18 1/8 in.); without cover: 41.7 cm (16 7/16 in.)
Credit Line
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 1944.61
Public Domain
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Location
241A Arts of Ancient China
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Did You Know?

This vessel was cast by the cire perdue, or lost wax, process.

Description

This tall, slender bronze wine vessel, called a hu, has three bands of ornamentation: one above the foot, one around the neck, and one on the cover. Stylized birds or phoenixes are in the band around the neck, while the band on the cover and foot feature geometric dragons. The dragon and the phoenix may represent yin and yang and would be equally appropriate on a bronze of either secular or religious purposes.

When inverted, the cover forms a cup. It likely held liquids like wine at festive banquets or religious ceremonies. The cylindrical "handles" at the neck band suggest that the vessel was carried by a cord.
A bronze vessel with a slender body tapers into a long neck, aged with a mottled teal, green, and reddish-brown patina. Three horizontal bands with raised, stylized animal designs encircle the rim, neck, and flared base. Two small, ridged handles project from the sides of the neck. The oxidized surface blends corrosion with deep metallic tones, while the rim and foot flare slightly, framing the vessel's elegant silhouette.

Wine Vessel (Hu)

c. 1000–900 BCE

China, Western Zhou dynasty (c. 1046–771 BCE)

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