Hsi-tsun: Silhouette of an Ox-like Mythical Beast

During the Warring States period (453-221 B.C.), bronze casters frequently adorned their creations with turquoise inlay.

Judging from its stocky profile and hoofs, the vessel appears to represent a water buffalo.

However, the absence of horns and the raised, long, and sharply pointed ears may also suggest a rhinoceros whose nose horn has been cut away.

According to recent archaeological evidence, rhinoceroses inhabited the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River during the Shang and Chou dynasties.

The vessel, measuring 28.5 centimeters in height and weighing 5.21 kilograms, bears a removable lid on its back and a spout at its mouth.

The thick neck is decorated with a gilded band and the area around its eye is inlaid with turquoise.

The entire vessel is further adorned with diagonal "lei wen" (thunder patterns) and gold and silver inlay, giving it a spirited quality that is at once detailed, natural, and unassuming.

Openwork and lozenge-pattern also prevailed, among many other fancy techniques, all adding to the brilliance of the work.

This animal-shaped "tsun" (zun) has a flat belly and short legs.

Its two ears point upright and the eyes look straight ahead. Above the eyes are turquoise inlaid brows and around the neck is a band of gem stones.

The entire body is covered with a metal inlay of cloud and thunder motifs.

During the Shang and Zhou dynasties this animal-shaped "zun" would have been a ceremonial wine container, with a lid on the back to fill it; the wine would have been poured through the neck and out through the mouth.

The original lid has been replaced by a metal inner liner with plum-shaped opening to hold flowers. It is likely that this modification took place after the reign of the Yongzheng emperor during the Qing dynasty.