Yu (Ritual Wine Vessel)

Artist Unknown (China) — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 02:01:13 -0400

Title	Yu (Ritual Wine Vessel)
Artist	Artist Unknown (China)
Date	11th-10th century B.C.
Institution	Minneapolis Institute of Arts
Location	On view at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, G214

The form of this vessel is the usual broad type with oval section, but the exaggeratedly high collar of the lid, topped by a spherical knob, adds to the impression of height. The decor, disposed in three belts foot, neck, and lid, displays dragons with S-shaped bodies, turned heads, and large S-shaped crests (or horns?). The neck belt is divided in two panels on the long side by a free animal's head, the foot and rim belts by very shallow lines in low relief representing flanges. The handle ends in animals' heads with bottle horns. For a discussion of this type of horn see Karlgren, number 17 (50.46.18ab). Patina green and blue-green.

Yu (Ritual Wine Vessel)

Yu (Ritual Wine Vessel)

Yu (Ritual Wine Vessel)

Artist Unknown (China)

11th-10th century B.C.