Covered Food Vessel (xu) with Design of Kui-Dragons and Animal-Headed Handles

Culture: Chinese
Dynasty: Western Zhou dynasty, 1050–771 BCE
Date: 9th–8th century BCE
Material: Bronze
possibly made in: Shaanxi province, China, Asia
possibly made in: Shaanxi province, China, Asia
Classification: Containers, metalwork
Collection: Asian Art
Current Location: On View, Gallery 233
Dimensions: 8 1/4 x 15 3/8 x 7 3/4 in. (21 x 39.1 x 19.7 cm)
Credit Line: Spink Asian Art Collection, Bequest of Edith J. and C. C. Johnson Spink
Rights: Public Domain
Object Number: 36:2014a,b

NOTES

The principal design element of this vessel is the two-headed serpent figure decorating the top of its cover. The heads share a body composed of a single staring eye. Bands of interlocking C-shapes embellished with spurs and hooks surround the body and lid with parallel grooves and animal-headed handles. The domed cover of this low, oblong vessel is decorated with a pair of handles that act as feet when the cover is turned upside down. The interiors of the cover and vessel each have lengthy, nearly identical inscriptions.

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