Square Wine Container (Fangyou)

c. 1250–1046 BCE

China, Henan province, probably Anyang, Shang dynasty (c. 1600–c. 1046 BCE), Anyang phase

(c. 1250–1046 BCE)

Medium

bronze

Measurements

Overall: 26.7 x 13.4 cm (10 1/2 x 5 1/4 in.)

Credit Line

John L. Severance Fund 1963.103

You can copy, modify, and distribute this work, all without asking permission. Learn more about CMA's Open Access Initiative.

Location

241A Arts of Ancient China

Did You Know?

The bird motif decoration of this bronze is uncommon; more often these bronzes are decorated with a combination of birds and dragons.

Description

From the finely proportioned body to the elaborate decoration cast with great precision, this ritual wine vessel displays the artistic refinement and technical virtuosity that marked the full blossoming of late Shang bronze art. The dramatic contrast of the crested birds (kuifeng) against the dense background of spiral patterns (leiwen) gives the vessel a new force, clarity, and intense vitality. The distinctive square body also places it as a rare and important type among the more usual round or ovoid types.