Artwork Page for Square Wine Container (Fangyou)

Details / Information for Square Wine Container (Fangyou)

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
Public Domain
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Location
241A Arts of Ancient China
Print
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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.

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)

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