Ritual wine vessel with lid (hu)

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.

In addition to two continuous friezes of stepped wave bands, the tall hu (back left, B60B1005) has two lug handles with central ridges. The base of the flaring tubular knob of the lid is perforated in two places. Together with the lug handles, these holes may have served as an attachment device. The bottom of the vessel displays a pattern of lozenges in raised line.