Art Institute of Chicago

Water Ewer (He)

China

Date

Eastern Zhou dynasty, Warring States period (480–221 B.C.), 4th century B.C.

Medium

Bronze with copper inlay

Culture

China

Department

Arts of Asia

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

Whereas this type of water ewer is found together with wine vessels in tombs of the Shang period, it typically appears with a shallow water basin ( pan ) in Zhou tombs. This change in burial context suggests a change in function—from a vessel used to dilute wine to one used to pour ablutions. In this imaginative, finely cast example, various creatures assume different parts: bird-men (or men with birdlike headdresses) form the legs; a bird's head acts as the spout; and on the lid, a small monkey grasps a chain linked to a feline animal whose broadly arched back forms the handle.

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