Teaching History with 100 Objects - Bronze vessel from Shang China

The bronze zun and the many other ritual bronze vessels from the Shang Dynasty are unique to China. Here are six vessels in other shapes. Each had a specific purpose.

Gui

This one is called a gui and was for serving food.

See more See more: http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?objectId=255583&partId=1&searchText=Shang+Dynasty&images=on&page=2

Ding

This is a ding and was for heating or cooking food.

See more See more: http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?objectId=256690&partId=1&searchText=Shang+Dynasty&images=on&page=2

Hu

This is a hu and was used for holding alcohol.

See more See more: http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?objectId=255601&partId=1&searchText=Shang+Dynasty&images=on&page=2

Jia

This one is called a jia and was used for wine.

See more See more: http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?objectId=255419&partId=1&searchText=Shang+bronze&images=true&page=1

Gu

This is a gu and is one of the earliest shapes used for holding wine.

See more See more: http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?objectId=255055&partId=1&searchText=Shang+bronze&images=true&page=1

Jue

This is a jue and is often found as a set with a gu (see above).

See more See more: http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?objectId=259719&partId=1&searchText=Shang+jue&images=true&page=1

The many bronze bells and weapons made from both bronze and jade that have been excavated suggest that there were other ceremonies of significance to the Shang. The weapons were clearly never be used in fighting and it is believed that some of them represent the weapons used in human sacrifice.