Bronze gui with animal head handlesLate Western

Manager ID

241

Title

Bronze gui with animal head handlesLate Western Zhou dynasty (9th-8th century BC)

Short title

Bronze gui with animal head handlesLate Western

Record number

BATEA : 229

Simple name

food container

Classified name

metal; bronze; Zhou; animal; food container; inscription; China; gui; burial; ritual; handle; ancestor; tomb; belief;

Description

Description part summary

The vessel shape curves inwards to include the lid in a rounded profile derived from a much earlier ceramic form. Decorated with horizontal grooves between borders of alternating large and small intaglio scales at the neck, on the lid and on the footring, which has three small feet. The lid has a circular flange as a handle, which probably served as a foot for the lid when it was inverted. Two U-shaped handles on each side are crowned by animal heads with coiled horns. The surface of the bronze is a rough grey-green with extensive red patches of cuprite. Spacers are visible around the inscription on the body, but they are not evident on the lid.

Description material

bronze

Description condition

The object was conserved by Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre in 2017-18

Description Colour

Aspect	Colour

body	grey-green

Description length

Description height

25.2 cm

Description diameter

Description width

24 cm

Description depth

Description inscription

An inscription of 31 characters on both body and lid. The inscription can be translated as 'Tai Shi Xiao Zi Shi made this honoured gui vessel for his august ancestor Shi to be used in prayer for a vigorous old age, peaceful and indulgent, with entreaties for generous blessing. May Shi's sons and grandsons forever value and employ (it) for a myriad years'.

Description notes

Gallery location

Brunei Gallery, SOAS

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