Ritual wine vessel (hu)
Place of Originprobably Shanxi province, China
Dateapprox. 1300-1050 BCE
DynastyShang dynasty (approx. 1600-1050 BCE)
MaterialsBronze
DimensionsH. 14 in x W. 9 1/2 in x D. 6 1/2 in, H. 35.6 cm x W. 22.9 cm x D. 16.5 cm
Credit LineThe Avery Brundage Collection
Object numberB60B6+
DepartmentChinese Art
ClassificationsMetal Arts
On View
On viewLocationGallery 14
More InformationRegional Bronze Styles
Shang culture and political power were strongly rooted during the middle years of the dynasty (1300-1050 BCE). However, in a cycle that was to be repeated over and over later in Chinese history, late in the dynasty its central authority weakened while a number of increasingly independent regional cultures developed. Although these cultures used the same techniques to cast their bronzes, and in some cases the same scripts for inscriptions, their artistic styles were quite varied.
approx. 300-100 BCE
prob. 500-400 BCE
approx. 550-480 BCE
prob. 550-400 BCE
approx. 500-400 BCE
prob. 550-400 BCE
550-480 BCE
approx. 950-850 BCE
850-771 BCE
