Art Institute of Chicago
Bird-Shaped Container (zun)
China
- Date
- Late Shang dynasty (13th century–1046 B.C.)
- Medium
- Bronze
- Culture
- China
- Department
- Arts of Asia
- Institution
- Art Institute of Chicago
Animal-shaped vessels are the rarest of all Shang ritual bronzes. This creature is a fascinating blend of alert poise and solemn dignity. Whereas the scaled pattern on the neck and tail of this bird suggests feathers, other details are fantastic rather than anatomical. A dragon in profile and a coiled serpent embellish each wing; monster masks crown the head as well as the removable lid on the bird's back.
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