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Ritual Wine Vessel (Hu)

1199 B.C.E. - 1000 B.C.E.

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
Kansas City, Missouri, United States

This vessel is outstanding for the variety of its motifs and the richness of its textures. A large bovine mask with bulbous eyes, jaw and claws dominates the belly. Whereas in this mask the features are all linked together, those of the mask above it appear as discrete, disconnected elements. Above this is an ibex-like mask in high relief flanked by two dragons. At the very top and bottom registers, additional dragon variants lie flush against the background. Originally a cord would have been threaded through the lug handles for easy portability.

Details

  • Title: Ritual Wine Vessel (Hu)
  • Creator Nationality: American
  • Date Created: 1199 B.C.E. - 1000 B.C.E.
  • Physical Dimensions: w278.89 x h405.89 in
  • Type: Bronze
  • Rights: Purchase: William Rockhill Nelson Trust, Purchase: William Rockhill Nelson Trust
  • Medium: Bronze
  • Dynasty: Shang Dynasty (16th century-1046 B.C.E.), 12th-11th century B.C.E.
  • Culture: Chinese

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