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Title

Ritual bronze vessel, 'zun'

11th century BCE

Artists

Unknown Artist

  • Details

    Other Title
    Ritual vessel 'zun'
    Place where the work was made
    China
    Period
    Western Zhou circa 1100 - 771 BCE → Zhou dynasty circa 1100 - 256 BCE → China
    Date
    11th century BCE
    Media category
    Metalwork
    Materials used
    bronze
    Dimensions
    25.0 x 19.8 cm
    Credit
    Gift of Mr. Giuseppe Eskenazi 2003
    Location
    Not on display
    Accession number
    253.2003
    Copyright

    Reproduction requests

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  • About

    In early script, the character 'zun' is written in the form of two hands holding a wine cup. The shape of the vessel and its pictographic depiction suggest it was used as ritual object for wine. The ‘zun’ was one of the most popular vessel shapes in the Shang and early Zhou periods. The rendering of the ‘taotie’ mask on this vessel exhibits characteristics descended directly from Anyang period motifs of the late Shang dynasty (1318-1046 BCE). The inscription cast in the interior centre reads as ‘fuding’ and indicates that this ‘zun’ was made for the deceased father on the day of ‘ding’.

    ‘The Asian Collections: Art Gallery of New South Wales’. pg.72
    © 2003 Trustees, Art Gallery of New South Wales

  • Places

    Where the work was made

    China

  • Exhibition history

    Shown in 2 exhibitions

  • Bibliography

    Referenced in 1 publication