Minneapolis Institute of Art

Yu wine vessel

China

Date

12th-11th century BCE

Medium

Bronze

Department

Asian Art

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

This elegant bronze vessel, used in ceremonies to present wine offerings to honored ancestors, demonstrates the technical skill of late Shang metalworkers. The middle section is decorated with an animal mask motif, while the ends of the handle are cast as dragon heads. The vessel’s balanced form and intricate details reflect the symbolic language of Shang ritual bronzes. China, Asia

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