Ritual Pou Wine Vessel with Diamond and Boss Decoration
Artist
Unknown
CultureChinese | Shang Dynasty
Date12th century B.C.
MediumCast bronze
DimensionsOverall: 6 7/8 x 11 1/2 in. (17.5 x 29.2 cm)
InscribedThree row, twelve pictogram inscription interior center bottom.
Credit LineGift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr.
Object number71.268
Collections
Not on view
DescriptionVessel of 'pou' shape. Used in ritual to hold wine or water. With a flattened bulbous body, everted lip & high circular foot with three rectangular perforations. Band of stylized dragons & thunder pattern ('lei-wen') encircles shoulders with six equally spaced nipple bosses, perhaps seen as dragon eyes. Narrow plain band below it has six chaplet marks. Area below on main body has large lozenge pattern outlined by 'lei-wen' with boss at center of each lozenge. Single band of 'lei-wen' encircles high foot. Bottom void of decoration. Some bronze disease; small chaplets on shoulder band, four very large repaired ones just above where foot is attached. Three irregular perforations in foot show very thin crumbling bronze; large rectangular repaired area on foot. Smooth grey-green patna.Published ReferencesTHE FREER CHINESE BRONZES, plate 1, pp. 20-25, similar piece #09.336. Robert W. Bagley, SHANG RITUAL BRONZES IN THE ARTHUR M. SACKLER COLLECTIONS, Vol. 1, (Harvard University Press, 1987), no. 55.
