Date: Late Shang Dynasty (13th – 11th century BCE)

Shanghai Museum

• Object Type：
  • BRONZE

The vessel iscast into the shape of an ox. During the Shang and Zhou dynasties, an important role of cattle was to serveas religious sacrifices in the grandest rituals. The lidextends from its head to its back with the neckforming a spout. The knob is molded into a tiger. Standing on four stocky legs,the engaging creature featuresa round abdomen, four little teats and a short and sharp tail pointing downward. Each hoof is cloven.These exquisite details are an example of ancient craftsmen’s unique aesthetic expressions, reflecting their careful observation of real creatures. The bronze gong is a type of ritual vessel used to serve wine. Found in a Shanghai smelting plant in the 1950s, the shape and design of this vessel remain largely consistent with the one unearthed in BaojiaTaizi, Hunan province, in 1977, with only minor differences. It is highly possible that this gong was also first found there.

【Special Exhibition】 Stride Towards a Niu Year: China-Korea Exchange Exhibition Celebrating the Year of the Ox