Vase gui 簋, M.C. 8759, Entre -1300 et -1050

Author(s): anonymous, founder date of production: between -1300 and -1050 type(s) of object(s): china, beliefs - customs - cults - ceremonies, archaeology, metal, metal arts name(s): tableware and kitchen utensils, vase, cup (container), religious object materials and techniques: bronze, mold casting place(s) of execution/realization: china dimensions - artwork: height: 11. 4cm diameter: 15. 9cm description: mistletoe are containers intended to contain grain cereals, rice, millet or sorghum. With or without handles, they have the shape of a bowl, of varying size, resting on an annular base. Attested in tombs from the erligang period (around 1550-around 1300 bc), they were common in the anyang period (around 1300-around 1050 bc) and became widespread under the western zhou (around 1050-771 bc). The example commented here is representative of this group. The body is covered with a decoration of diamonds containing quadrangular spirals, variations on the leiwen motif and each has a strongly projecting button in its center. The neck register bears a series of stylized animal motifs reduced to simple eyes with narrow pupils separated by groups of complex spirals. This band, on each of the two sides of the vase, bears a sheep's head with curved horns. The upper part of the two handles is in the shape of bovine masks. The handles themselves end with a hook facing outwards. V. Elisseeff recognizes in this motif the simplification of an older theme representing an animal devouring a bird. There are many mistletoe comparable to this one in collections. The inscription of the cernuschi piece, with characters still very zoomorphic in shape, would link it to the shang period while many similar vessels date from the beginning of the western zhou (around 1050-771 bc). Iconographic description: mistletoe are containers intended to contain grain cereals, rice, millet or sorghum. With or without handles, they have the shape of a bowl, of varying size, resting on an annular base. Attested in tombs from the erligang period (around 1550-around 1300 bc), they were common in the anyang period (around 1300-around 1050 bc) and became widespread under the western zhou (around 1050-771 bc). The example commented here is representative of this group. The body is covered with a decoration of diamonds containing quadrangular spirals, variations on the leiwen motif and each has a strongly projecting button in its center. The neck register bears a series of stylized animal motifs reduced to simple eyes with narrow pupils separated by groups of complex spirals. This band, on each of the two sides of the vase, bears a sheep's head with curved horns. The upper part of the two handles is in the shape of bovine masks. The handles themselves end with a hook facing outwards. V. Elisseeff recognizes in this motif the simplification of an older theme representing an animal devouring a bird. There are many mistletoe comparable to this one in collections. The inscription of the cernuschi piece, with characters still very zoomorphic in shape, would link it to the shang period while many similar vessels date from the beginning of the western zhou (around 1050-771 bc). Themes / subjects / places represented: leiwen, animal, sheep, cattle, bird mode of acquisition: purchase date of acquisition: 1955 institution: cernuschi museum, museum of asian arts of the city of paris inventory number: m. C. 8759. Date: Entre -1300 et -1050.