Loading

Jian is a water container. Fou is a wine vessel. In the early Warring States Period, distilled liquor was yet to be invented. To prevent brewed wine from going bad, people would put ice in Jian and place a wine-filled Fou in the Jian. Both Jian and Fou are square and decorated with dragon patterns. To fix the Jian to the Fou, three hooks were made on the bottome of the Jian to be connected to the three holes on the Fou.

Usually, a filter would also be used to eliminate the sediment. Two sets of Jian and Fou have been discovered from the Zeng Hou Yi Mausoleum. They were used with this filter that was found beside. For each set, there was also a ladle to use with. The ladle was found placed on the lid of the Fou.

Details

  • Title: Bronze Jian and Fou
  • Location: Unearthed from Leigudun Tomb (No.1 ), Suizhou, Hubei
  • Medium: Bronze
  • Excavation Date: 1978
  • Dynasty: Around 433 B.C. (the East Zhou Dynasty and the early Warring States Period)
  • Dimensions: Total weight: 168.8 kg Jian Height: 61.5 cm; side length: 62.8 cm/ 63.4 cm. Fou Height: 51.8 cm; top area: 23.8 cm×23.8 cm; bottom area: 21.8 cm×21.8 cm. Filter Total length: 88.5 cm; length of the shaft: 70.8 cm.

Get the app

Explore museums and play with Art Transfer, Pocket Galleries, Art Selfie, and more

Flash this QR Code to get the app

Interested in Design?

Get updates with your personalized Culture Weekly

You are all set!

Your first Culture Weekly will arrive this week.

Google apps