Four Sided Fanghu Bronze Wine Vessel Zhou Era Style

An archaic bronze four sided fanghu in delicate wave pattern. There are two bronze ring handles held in the mouths of archaic taotie masks, modelled in low relief on each side of the vessel. The Taotie and dragons were associated with land and rain, the farmers worshiped them for fertile land and receiving rain because three thousand years ago, rain was a concern to the farmers and they depended on the deities to bring rainfall to their land. Early 20th century. Originally from China.

The hu is a pear-shaped vessel that has been found in both a round and square form. While it is similar to you vessel, hu usually has a longer body and neck. The shape of hu probably derives from its ceramic prototype prior to the Shang dynasty (1600–1045 BC).Examples have been discovered with a variety of decorative motifs. During the Shang dynasty one hu would typically be offered, decorated with relatively simple taotie designs. Dragons, cattle and thunder patterns also appear on hu vessels during the Shang dynasty. During the Zhou dynasty the style of the vessel changed, with taotie being replaced by “heavy, rounded relief figures on a plain ground”. Though, one example from the Late Zhou period shows the entire vessel covered with images that correspond with everyday life. Silk worm farming, hunting, archery, and warfare are all represented.Interlacing dragon motifs were also popular during the Zhou period, as were “wave” designs. By the late Spring and Autumn period the decoration of the vessels in some regions had changed to reflect the influence of animal style art from Central Asian nomads. Hu of this type often used designs that were geometric versions of earlier Taotie motifs and employed copper inlay. During the Warring States period the shape of the vessel was occasionally modified, taking on a more squared appearance. This squared version of a hu is referred to as a fāng hú. Another variation was the yu, which added a single handle arching above the lid of the vessel.

Although the hu vessels have many cultural references to it, one of the most important ones is that it was used as a “Wine Vessel” in many cultures. In the Eastern Zhou period the hu vessel was used for funerary practices. Hu vessel meant to the Shang culture as ritual vessels.

Dimensions: 6.5″ x 6″ x 11.25″

Antique piece. Sell in used, pre-owned condition. Vintage and antique items by nature have variable amounts of wear, imperfections, signs of use, age and time. Perfectly imperfect. Condition shown as in pictures. Kindly contact us if you need more info. or detail pictures.