Art Institute of Chicago

Wine Warmer (Zun)

China

Date

Western Han dynasty (206 B.C.–A.D. 9), 2nd/1st century B.C.

Medium

Gilt bronze

Culture

China

Department

Arts of Asia

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

This type of cylindrical vessel has been identified as a wine warmer ( zun ) through a similar inscribed example excavated in northern China. The vessel may have been used for a variety of foods or wines, but its short legs indicate that it was probably not designed to be placed over a fire. This metal shape was modeled after early boxes of lacquered wood that served as cosmetic containers ( lian ).

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