Ritual vessel (you) with lid

These vessels do not share the conservatism of the lei of the preceding plate (B60B450) and as such are more explicit examples of the Mid Western Zhou styles. They introduce a set of new silhouettes, all characterized by a certain squatness and sagging of the contours, as well as a set of unprecedented ornamental schemes. Two of these motifs are particularly conspicuous and are typical of the period, namely the overlapping rows of flattened scales (smaller hu, douand you) and the wave band with stylized animal shapes (tall hu and you). The latter motif illustrates a more advanced stage in the calligraphic trend mentioned in connection with the preceding plate.

The scale motifs which cover the larger part of the lid and the body of the sagging you (front right, B60B146) stand in flat relief against a background of fine raised lines. So does the wave band with heart shapes on the neck. A reduced, simplified version of this band appears at the base of the larger tubular knob of the lid. The outer sides of the "ears" of the lid are incised with barbed spirals.

The top of the slender but wide bow handle is divided into four sections by small ridges. Each section contains a long-tailed' crested bird. Both ends of the handle sport disproportionately large ovine heads with curled horns. Similar heads in reduced scales appear in axial position on the neck band. Somehow the birds of the handle and these heads seem to be out of style because they are the only zoomorphic elements in a geometrical context. It is with such vessels that one appreciates the full value of the drastic changes that occurred during the middle Western Zhou period.

The same twelve-character inscription was carved inside the lid and on the bottom of the vessel (fig. 54). It reads: "Bo (father's elder brother) made for his accomplished deceased father (this) sacrificial vessel. May his sons and grandsons treasure (it) forever."