Wine Vessel
1300 BC-1100 BC (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This bronze wine vessel is called a fangyi in Chinese. It has a lid, which shows it was used to store wine. Both the vessel and the lid carry an inscription consisting of two pictographs. These incised pictures are the clan sign of the owner of the vessel.
Metalworkers in ancient China made a great variety of food and wine containers in bronze for ritual use. Each vessel had a specific name according to its shape and function. These vessels were buried with the dead. When they were accidentally unearthed centuries later, they became treasured objects of antiquarian scholars and collectors.
Metalworkers in ancient China made a great variety of food and wine containers in bronze for ritual use. Each vessel had a specific name according to its shape and function. These vessels were buried with the dead. When they were accidentally unearthed centuries later, they became treasured objects of antiquarian scholars and collectors.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Cast bronze |
| Brief description | Met, China, vess/cont/holders Met, China, vess/cont/holders |
| Physical description | This bronze wine vessel is called a 'fangyi' in Chinese. It has a lid, which indicates it was used to store wine. On both the vessel and the lid is an inscription consisting of two pictographs executed in intaglio, which was the clan sign of the vessel's owner. In ancient China a great variety of food and wine containers were made in bronze for ritual use. Each vessel was given a specific name according to its shape and function. The vessels were buried with the deceased. When they were accidently unearthed centuries later they became treasured objects of antiquarian scholars and collectors. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Gallery label | Vessel for serving wine (fangyi)
Shang dynasty
1300-1100 BC
All ancient bronze vessels had a specific name. This one, from which wine would have been ladled out, is called a fangyi.
Cast bronze
Museum no. M.185-1935
From the Eumorfopoulos collection, purchased with the assistance of The Art Fund, the Vallentin Bequest, Sir Percival David and the Universities China Committee [Art Fund logo](2007) |
| Credit line | Purchased with Art Fund support, the Vallentin Bequest, Sir Percival David and the Universities China Committee |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This bronze wine vessel is called a fangyi in Chinese. It has a lid, which shows it was used to store wine. Both the vessel and the lid carry an inscription consisting of two pictographs. These incised pictures are the clan sign of the owner of the vessel. Metalworkers in ancient China made a great variety of food and wine containers in bronze for ritual use. Each vessel had a specific name according to its shape and function. These vessels were buried with the dead. When they were accidentally unearthed centuries later, they became treasured objects of antiquarian scholars and collectors. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.185-1935 |
About this object record
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| Record created | December 19, 2002 |
| Record URL |
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