Comparing Shang Bronze Vessels, The Zun And The Gui

Wanqiao Li

AHIS 125

Rika Hiro

Sep 17th 2014

Paper 1: 2a and 2b

The pair of bronze vessels, the Zun and the Gui, being analyzed has many similarities and differences. The continuation as well as changes in function and style of bronze vessels from Shang to Zhou is evident through comparing and contrasting the Zun vessel and the Gui vessel.

The Zun vessel, dated approximately 13th to 12th century BCE, is a late Shang bronze vessel used to hold wine. The Gui vessel, dated approximately 10th century BCE, is a Western Zhou bronze vessel used to hold cooked rice. Both vessels are created using the piece-mold casting technique. Due to their distinct functions, the shape of the two vessels are designed very differently according to their use. The

Zun is a vertical vessel with a wide opening at the top. The vessel’s height and width are approximately 2 to 1 in proportion and its height and diameter of opening around 1 to 1.

This balance of proportions is visually pleasing to the eye as it is elongated and elegantly shaped while also being stable and firm for holding liquid. The large opening at the top smoothly curves outwards, making the wine to pour out easier from the vessel and at the same time creates a graceful S-shape for the vessel. This is contrasted by the Gui vessel, where its height and width are about 1 to 1 in proportion and is consist of a spherical top and a cubic base. The shallow but wide shape of the vessel is more suitable in holding rice, as it is easier to take the rice out of the vessel. Two handles are attached to the side of the vessel in order for it to be easily moved and carried. In addition, the Gui vessel has a lid with a hollow designed handle at top that also contributes to the easiness of usage of the vessel. The design and decorations of the vessels are also distinctly different with one another. The Zun vessel is heavily decorated with the taotie design, which is a common motif of the Shang dynasty. The vessel is covered with the taotie design on all four sides of both the middle and lower section. It is also decorated with heads

of bird-like creatures, attached to the top of the middle section of the vessel.

The reliefs and carvings on the Zun vessel are very solid and thick, creating a mysterious, powerful, and god-like feeling that is appropriate as its main function is also to be used in rituals. The Gui, however, has a relatively more flat and simplified design. The taotie motif that is so commonly used in Shang vessels is no longer seen and is replaced by very thin and simple geometric patterns. The two serpent/dragon- like handles on the sides are carved with more care and detail, but it still lacks complexity compared to the decorations on the Zun vessel. Although Gui vessels are also used in rituals, this vessel’s simple decorations show a shift of emphasis to the practical usage of the vessel. The geometric designs are purely there to aesthetically please its viewers rather than being a deep symbol or motif. Although the Zun vessel and the Gui vessel contrast greatly in design and decoration, the two of them have similarities for their focus on balance and symmetry. The Zun vessel is symmetrical on all four sides. The width opening at the top is well balanced by the heavily decorated middle and base section, making it very pleasing to the eye. The smooth curvy form of

the vessel is also balanced with the sharp defined lines created by the vertical edges. Similarly, the Gui vessel also shows balance and symmetry. The spherical top and the cubic base are deliberately placed together, corresponding to the ancient Chinese belief of circular sky and rectangular earth, which is a symbol of balance and yin-yang.

The significant changes of style between the Zun vessel and the Gui are mainly due to the change in political and cultural environment. The Zun vessel, made in late Shang, has a heavy emphasis on the taotie motif. This is because the Shang people extremely value the connection between divine and the human and have a great respect and fear for the super-natural beings and forces. Therefore, the main purpose of these bronze vessels made in the Shang dynasty is to be used in rituals; taotie, being a demon-like beast that they believe in, is always the central emphasis of the bronze vessels. In contrast, the Gui vessel, made in the western Zhou period, has relatively simple geometric patterns. This is because, first, the Zhou people do not respect the taotie motif as they see it as gluttony. Secondly, the Gui vessel is no longer mainly used in rituals; it is also a symbol of power and social status. Moreover, the Gui vessel will also be more frequently used in everyday life. So the religious aspect is slowly disappearing from the decorations and simple geometric patterns that are aesthetically pleasing began to dominate the designs on the vessels. Another reason for the changes in style between the Zun and the Gui vessel is simply changes in artistic tastes, as the Zhou people incorporate their own aesthetics into what they learned from the former Shang artists.

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